Food intake is regulated by complex hypothalamic neuronal systems
originally identified as hunger and satiety centers. The search for the underlying
mechanisms led to the discovery of several central orexigenic and anorexigenic
peptides. The present chapter summarizes the current knowledge about the role of
classical hypothalamic neuropeptides such NPY/AgRP, POMC/CART, melanocortin,
and orexin system, as well as several new central signals such as AMPK, ncRNA, and
autophagy involved in the regulation of appetite and food intake.
Keywords: Hypothalamus, central signals, hunger center, satiety center, orexigenic neuropeptides, anorexigenic neuropeptides, ncRNA, autophagy.
