Hunger hormones influence decision-making brain region that drives behaviour

A recent study by UCL researchers reveals that hunger hormones released in the gut can directly influence the decision-making section of the brain, specifically the hippocampus. When animals are hungry, the increased neural activity in this area inhibits them from eating, whereas when they are full, the activity decreases, allowing them to eat. This finding suggests that ghrelin receptors in the brain can cross the blood-brain barrier and directly impact brain activity.