Scientists from the Scripps Institute have identified a region of the brain that causes mammals to eat more when exposed to cold. The research was published in the journal Nature.
The biologists compared the activity of neurons in the brains of mice under cold (3.8 °C) and hot (22.8 °C) conditions. Many areas of the brain began to function more slowly at low temperatures. The exception was an area called the thalamus.
The increase in activity affected neurons in the midline nucleus of the thalamus. This happened just before the frozen rats started foraging for food.
When the researchers artificially activated these neurons, the mice began to search intensely for food, and when suppressed, the animals stopped searching. These effects appeared only in cold conditions. The discovery means a group of neurons in the thalamus acted like a “switch” in the mice’s brains, causing them to forage for food when the temperature drops.
When mammals are exposed to cold, they automatically burn more energy to maintain their normal body temperature. This causes an increase in appetite, so the “cold cure” is not intended for weight loss. The study will adapt the effects of cold to improve metabolic health and fat loss.
ancient scientists to solvewhich product can protect against weight gain on a high-fat diet.