The hunger hormone identified - Leptin hunger hormone

Leptin, a hormone that helps to control feelings of hunger, also appears to govern the desire to eat, researchers report in a finding that could one day lead to new ways to treat obesity. Leptin is a hormone made by fat cells that reduces feelings of hunger and increases feelings of fullness.


The scientists found that the pictures stimulated activity in the area of the brain called the striatal regions, which are associated with desires.


The researchers showed the two patients pictures of various foods while they recorded their brain activity. More research is required so as to find out how leptin triggers other chemicals inside the human brain and how alteration of these pathways contributes to overeating and obesity.