Regulation of appetite: role of leptin in signalling systems for drive and satiety.
BACKGROUND
The healthy regulation of appetite involves a balance between excitatory (drive) and inhibitory (satiety) processes. For many years research has concentrated on the identification of signalling systems that mediate satiety to the relative exclusion of drive-inducing biological events. However, the so-called long-term regulation of body weight has recently been given substance by the identification of a chemical signal believed to link the brain with adipose tissue stores.


METHODS
This signal, leptin, is in position to modulate the expression of a drive to eat. Studies on the relationship between leptin and perceived hunger, and on the eating behaviour of leptin-deficient individuals, are consistent with the intervention of leptin in a drive system. The contrast between the roles of leptin and serotonin in appetite regulation reflects the difference between drive-signalling and satiety signalling processes.


CONCLUSIONS
It is proposed that leptin modulates the drive signals arising from the metabolic demand for energy but also shows some properties of a post-prandial satiety signal.
Blundell
J E
JE
PsychoBiology Group, School of Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK. j.e.blundell@psychology.leeds.ac.uk
Goodson
S
S
Halford
J C
JC
D000818:Animals; D001066:Appetite / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D012527:Satiation / Q000502:physiology*
D020738:Leptin