The influence of high fat diet on hypothalamic neural activity: an examination of C-FOS, a-MSH and NPY immunoreactivity and leptin receptor m-RNA statement in hypothalamus

This thesis examines the influence of a high-fat diet on hypothalamic neural activity. The hypothalamus plays an essential role in regulating body weight. Peripheral tissues, particularly fatty tissue, send signals such as leptin to the hypothalamus to activate a neural network in the brain that regulates food intake and energy balance. This neural network is coded with specific neurotransmitters and receptors. Hypothalamic Neuropeptide-Y and alpha-MSH (alpha-Melancortin stimulate hormone) systems are critically involved in this regulation of body weight.