Scientists Identify Brain’s Secret Weapon Against Hunger to Advance Treatment of Obesity

Scientists at Fujita Health University have discovered that neuroestrogen, a form of estrogen produced in the brain, plays a crucial role in regulating appetite, SciTech Daily reported.

Unlike ovarian estrogen, neuroestrogen is synthesized in the brain by the enzyme aromatase and enhances the expression of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), which suppresses hunger.

Experiments with mice showed that those lacking neuroestrogen ate more and gained weight, while restoring brain estrogen reduced food intake and increased MC4R levels.

Additionally, neuroestrogen improves the brain’s sensitivity to leptin, a hormone that regulates hunger. This discovery opens new possibilities for obesity treatment by targeting appetite regulation directly in the brain. The findings also have potential implications for managing hormonal health issues in women, such as menopause and postpartum weight gain. This breakthrough paves the way for innovative therapies aimed at controlling hunger and energy balance through neuroestrogen modulation.