Ghrelin Receptor Alters Dopamine

[mkur]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120125132608.htm

 

"The researchers showed that when GHSR1a and DRD2 were coexpressed, the receptors physically interacted with one another. Further, the GHSR1a:DRD2 complex was present in native hypothalamic neurons that regulate appetite. When mice were treated with a molecule (cabergoline) that selectively activates DRD2, they exhibited anorexia. Interestingly, the cabergoline-stimulated anorexia did not require ghrelin but was dependent on GHSR1a and the GHSR1a:DRD2 interaction. These findings suggest that in neurons expressing both GHSR1a and DRD2, GHSR1a alters classical DRD2 dopamine signaling."

 

Does anyone know if the hypothalamus and pandas has been studied? Does this type of inflammation show up in mri or cat scans? Is this the same D2 measured by cunningham?

[LNN]

Some was over my head but thanks for posting!

[trggirl]

Thanks for sharing!!

[kim]

double post

Edited January 27, 2012 by kim

[kim]

mkur,

 

http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/limbicsystem.html

 

There is a good brain diagram here with info. including a clickable link for the basal ganglia.

It also talks about "leptin," which I have always thought was significant, but after reading about Ghrelin, well that looks waaaay more interesting.

 

If you read this

 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080506123104.htm

Gut Hormone Makes Food Look Even Yummier

 

Ghrelin has widespread effects," Dagher said. "It's not one or two brain regions, but the whole network.

 

and

 

Treatments that disrupt these effects of ghrelin might hold promise for fighting obesity. But because they would influence the brain's pleasure centers, Dagher suspects that they might come with side effects on mood.

 

I think what the scientist in the first article that you linked were excited about was the fact that they probably could manipulate these neurons for dopamine or weight management without worrying about the effects being too widespread because only certain neurons (the ones that expressed both receptors) would be affected.

 

I don't think it's known yet what all of the areas are that could be effected by an autoantibody. As far as I know Cunningham only tested tissue from the basal ganglia, but the gut/brain connection sure seems to keep getting reinforced.

 

 

Something that I remember others posting about on the TS forum was that their child would start ticcing as soon as they saw the dinner table and all the way through a meal. There were other posts about "just the sight of food," so this is really interesting!

Edited January 27, 2012 by kim