It has been known that the brain region hypothalamus plays an important role in regulating food intake. Now, researchers have found out molecules that are associated with this brain circuit.

Scientists found that the Developing Hypothalamus neurons communicate with other neurons by releasing semaphorins, which guides these neurons towards each other. Blocking these semaphorins not only disrupted the developing hypothalamus but also caused increased body weight.

Then the scientists moved towards testing the genes associated with these mechanisms in humans and found out that individuals with an early Onset Obesity had gene mutations involved in semaphorins. This shows that some people are prewired to develop obesity.

Read the full story: ScienceDaily
Scientific publication: Cell