title: Driving the need to feed: Insight into the collaborative interaction between ghrelin and endocannabinoid systems in modulating brain reward systems.
abstract: Independent stimulation of either the ghrelin or endocannabinoid system promotes food intake and increases adiposity. Given the similar distribution of their receptors in feeding associated brain regions and organs involved in metabolism, it is not surprising that evidence of their interaction and its importance in modulating energy balance has emerged. This review documents the relationship between ghrelin and endocannabinoid systems within the periphery and hypothalamus (HYP) before presenting evidence suggesting that these two systems likewise work collaboratively within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to modulate non-homeostatic feeding. Mechanisms, consistent with current evidence and local infrastructure within the VTA, will be proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada. Electronic address: alexander.edwards@carleton.ca.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada. Electronic address: alfonso_abizaid@carleton.ca.
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abizaid
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D054439:Ghrelin; D012201:Reward; D017557:Ventral Tegmental Area
chemical_list: D063388:Endocannabinoids; D054439:Ghrelin
keywords: Adiposity; CB-1Rs; Endocannabinoids; Food intake; GHSRs; Ghrelin; Interaction; VTA