Central administration of ghrelin induces conditioned avoidance in rodents

Feelings of hunger carry a negative-valence (emotion) signal that appears to be conveyed through agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. The circulating hunger hormone, ghrelin, activates these neurons although it remains unclear whether it also carries a negative-valence signal. Given that ghrelin also activates pathways in the midbrain that are important for reward, it remains possible that ghrelin could act as a positive reinforcer and hence, carry a positive-valence signal.

Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - June 21, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Erik Sch éle, Christopher Cook, Marie Le May, Tina Bake, Simon M. Luckman, Suzanne L. Dickson Source Type: research