Relationships between ventromedial hypothalamic lesions and the expressions of neuron-related genes in visceral organs

Although the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) is one of the centers of parasympathetic nervous system, to date, there has been little reported regarding the role of the hypothalamus in directly changing the expression of neuron-related genes in visceral organs. Recently it has been reported that VMH lesions can directly change the expression of neuron-related genes families in visceral organs. The present review focuses on the relationships between the central nervous system, including the VMH, and the expressions of neuron-related genes in visceral organs.

► VMH lesions change the expression of neuron-related genes families in visceral organs.
► Gene expressions regarding neural commitment were downregulated by VMH lesions.
► A knowledge of gene expressions characteristics will lead to understanding of the functional organ.