CNS regulation of appetite

This article reviews the regulation of appetite from a biopsychological perspective. It considers psychological experiences and peripheral nutritional systems (both episodic and tonic) and addresses their relationship with the CNS networks that process and integrate their input. Whilst such regulatory aspects of obesity focus on homeostatic control mechanisms, in the modern environment hedonic aspects of appetite are also critical. Enhanced knowledge of the complexity of appetite regulation and the mechanisms that sustain obesity indicate the challenge presented by management of the obesity epidemic. Nonetheless, effective control of appetite expression remains a critical therapeutic target for weight management. Currently, strategies which utilise a combination of agents to target both homeostatic and hedonic control mechanisms represent the most promising approaches.This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ‘Central Control of Food Intake’.

► Episodic (meal-consumption) and tonic (energy-storage) factors control ingestion.
► Such peripheral signals, integrated by CNS, influence appetite (hunger and satiety).
► Homeostatic control maintains energy storage but cannot prevent overconsumption.
► Hedonic processes (pleasure and reward) readily overwhelm homeostatic control.
► Interactions between homeostatic and hedonic systems offer therapeutic potential.