Development of “Hunger Neurons” and the Unanticipated Relationship Between Energy Metabolism and Mother-Infant Interactions

• Published in: Biological psychiatry (1969) Vol. 91; no. 10; pp. 907 - 914
• Main Authors: Iyilikci, Onur, Zimmer, Marcelo R., Dietrich, Marcelo O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 15.05.2022
• Subjects: Agouti-Related Protein - metabolism; Animals; Development; Diabetes; Energy balance; Energy Metabolism - physiology; Humans; Hunger - physiology; Hypothalamus; Infant; Melanocortin system; Metabolism; Mother-Child Relations; Mother-infant relationship; Neurons - physiology; Obesity; Energy balance; Obesity; Mother-infant relationship; Development; Melanocortin system; Diabetes; Hypothalamus; Metabolism
• ISSN: 0006-3223; 1873-2402
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.02.962

Over the course of a lifetime, the perinatal period plays an outsized role in the function of physiological systems. Here, we discuss how neurons that regulate energy metabolism contribute to the infant’s relationship with the mother. We focus our discussion on Agrp neurons, which are located in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. These neurons heavily regulate energy metabolism. Because offspring transition from a period of dependence on the caregiver to independence, we discuss the importance of the caregiver-offspring relationship for the function of Agrp neurons. We present evidence that in the adult, Agrp neurons motivate the animal to eat, while in the neonate, they motivate the offspring to seek the proximity of the caregiver. We specifically highlight the peculiarities in the development of Agrp neurons and how they relate to the regulation of metabolism and behavior over the course of a lifetime. In sum, this review considers the unique insights that ontogenetic studies can offer toward our understanding of complex biological systems, such as the regulation of energy metabolism and mother-infant attachment.