Insulin and endocannabinoids in the mesolimbic system. (15th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sallam, Nada A.; Borgland, Stephanie L.
• Other Names: Andrews Zane guestEditor.; Grattan David guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of neuroendocrinology. Volume 33:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-04-15
• Subjects: dopamine -- endocannabinoid -- Insulin -- nucleus accumbens -- synaptic plasticity -- ventral tegmental area; Neuroendocrinology -- Periodicals; 616.4
• DOI: 10.1111/jne.12965
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-8194

Abstract

Abstract: Easy access to palatable food and an abundance of food‐related cues exacerbate non‐homeostatic feeding. The metabolic and economical sequelae of non‐homeostatic feeding outweigh those of homeostatic feeding and contribute significantly to the global obesity pandemic. The mesolimbic dopamine system is the primary central circuit that governs the motivation to consume food. Insulin and endocannabinoids (eCBs) are two major, presumably opposing, players in regulating homeostatic and non‐homeostatic feeding centrally and peripherally. Insulin is generally regarded as a postprandial satiety signal, whereas eCBs mainly function as pre‐prandial orexinergic signals. In this review, we discuss the effects of insulin and eCB‐mediated actions within the mesolimbic pathways. We propose that insulin and eCBs have regional‐ and time course‐dependent roles. We discuss their mechanisms of actions in the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens, as well as how their mechanisms converge to finely tune dopaminergic activity and food intake. Abstract : The most common cause of obesity is overconsumption of energy dense foods due to the ever‐increasing prevalence of an obesogenic food environment. The mesolimbic dopamine circuit underlies the motivational salience of cues predicting food, and thus is an important driver of food intake. This system is modulated by peripheral and central factors that relay information on energy status, including insulin and endocannabinoids. Here, we review the literature on the effects of insulin and endocannabinoid mediated actions within the mesolimbic circuit and propose how their mechanisms converge to tune dopaminergic activity and food‐seeking behaviour.