Role of striatal dopamine signaling in compulsive eating associated with obesity

- The mesoaccumbens-striato-hypothalamus system integrates signals from central and peripheral regulators of energy status and food reward.
- Palatable energy dense food leads to dysregulation of striatal dopamine neurotransmission.
- Disruptions to dopamine neurotransmission is associated with the emergence of compulsive eating patterns.

As access to inexpensive energy-dense foods increases and lifestyles become ever more sedentary obesity levels have climbed. The mesoaccumbens dopamine system is essential to maintaining appropriate control over feeding and associated behaviors. Emerging evidence suggests that consumption of highly palatable energy-dense food profoundly impacts mesoaccumbens dopamine neurotransmission and downstream signaling cascades in cortical and limbic regions. Furthermore, it is increasingly clear that dysregulation of dopamine receptor function contributes to the emergence of compulsive food intake, which likely contributes to weight gain, development of obesity and difficulties losing weight. Understanding the nature of these perturbations in mesoaccumbens dopamine may reveal novel strategies for medications development to combat obesity and obesity-associated diseases.