The brain's secret weapon against hunger : Neuro Estrogen

Researchers from Fujita Health University have discovered that estrogen produced in the brain—called neuroestrogen—plays a direct role in regulating appetite, opening new possibilities for obesity treatment. The study, published in The FEBS Journal in February 2025, showed that mice lacking brain estrogen had higher food intake and weight gain. When estrogen production was restored in their brains, appetite dropped, and levels of MC4R, a receptor linked to hunger suppression, increased in the hypothalamus. The study also found that neuroestrogen enhanced sensitivity to leptin, the hormone that helps control hunger. These findings indicate that brain-derived estrogen, not just ovarian estrogen, can directly influence hunger regulation. The results may lead to targeted therapies for obesity and hormonal weight gain, particularly in women. This breakthrough could pave the way for drugs that modulate neuroestrogen activity, offering a more precise approach to appetite control and metabolic health.

05-05-2025