ESPE Abstracts

Feeding behavior is exquisitely regulated by homeostatic and hedonic neural substrates that integrate energy demand as well as the reinforcing and rewarding aspects of food. Understanding the net contribution of homeostatic and reward-driven feeding has become critical due to the ubiquitous source of energy-dense foods and the consequent obesity epidemic. Hypothalamic, agouti-related protein-secreting neurons (AgRP neurons) represent primary orexigenic drives of homeostatic fe...