Hunger-Driven Motivational State Competition

Abstract

Summary Behavioral choice is ubiquitous in the animal kingdom and is central to goal-oriented behavior. Hypothalamic Agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons are critical regulators of appetite. Hungry animals, bombarded by multiple sensory stimuli, are known to modify their behavior during times of caloric need, rapidly adapting to a consistently changing environment. Utilizing ARCAgRP neurons as an entry point, we analyzed the hierarchical position of hunger related to rival drive states. Employing a battery of behavioral assays we found that hunger significantly increases its capacity to suppress competing motivational systems such as thirst, anxiety-related behavior, innate fear and social interactions often only when food is accessible. Furthermore, real-time monitoring of ARCAgRP activity revealed time-locked responses to conspecific investigation in addition to food presentation, further establishing that even at the level of ARCAgRP neurons choices are remarkably flexible computations integrating internal state, external factors and anticipated yield.

Bidirectional Anticipation of Future Osmotic Challenges by Vasopressin Neurons

“…AgRP neurons increase their activity during caloric restriction and show rapid drops in activity both prior to and during food ingestion (Chen et al, 2015; Betley et al, 2015; Mandelblat-Cerf et al, 2015; Burnett et al, 2016). This rapid drop in AgRP neuron activity upon food presentation may play a role in preventing overconsumption in the period prior to systemic feedback (Chen et al, 2015; Mandelblat-Cerf et al, 2015).…”

Neural Circuit Mechanisms Underlying Emotional Regulation of Homeostatic Feeding

“…Selective activation of ARC AGRP neuronal projections to either paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH), lateral hypothalamus (LH), or anterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (αBNST) was sufficient to rapidly increase food intake in sated animals [11–13], while activation of ARC projections to other brain regions involved in emotion, such as periaqueductal gray (PAG) and the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) did not increase feeding [11, 12]. Interestingly, chemogenetic and optogenetic manipulation of ARC AGRP neurons also potently modulated diverse emotional and motivational behaviors including emotional valence, anxiety, aggression, and fear-related behaviors [14–19]. A series of recent studies suggest that ARC AGRP neurons modulate emotional processes in an effort to suppress competing emotional states and prioritize motivational drives towards food acquisition [14, 15, 19].…”

“…Interestingly, chemogenetic and optogenetic manipulation of ARC AGRP neurons also potently modulated diverse emotional and motivational behaviors including emotional valence, anxiety, aggression, and fear-related behaviors [14–19]. A series of recent studies suggest that ARC AGRP neurons modulate emotional processes in an effort to suppress competing emotional states and prioritize motivational drives towards food acquisition [14, 15, 19]. For example, although mice normally avoid areas associated with danger or threats, during food deprivation or activation of ARC AGRP neurons, mice approached fear-associated (such as areas previously paired with shocks) or threat-associated (paired with predator scents) areas to obtain food [14, 15, 19].…”

“…A series of recent studies suggest that ARC AGRP neurons modulate emotional processes in an effort to suppress competing emotional states and prioritize motivational drives towards food acquisition [14, 15, 19]. For example, although mice normally avoid areas associated with danger or threats, during food deprivation or activation of ARC AGRP neurons, mice approached fear-associated (such as areas previously paired with shocks) or threat-associated (paired with predator scents) areas to obtain food [14, 15, 19]. Together, these findings suggest that ARC AGRP neurons, in addition to promoting feeding, are involved in modulating motivational states in accordance with changing energy demands and environmental conditions.…”

Emotions and Behavior Regulation in Decision Dilemmas

“…Food intake is regulated with help of salient and cognitively intrusive hunger and satiation impulses [94]. While these physiological impulses usually correspond to one's energy balance and state of abdominal bloat, there are emotional factors and ecological contexts (e.g., menu effects) that greatly influence eating behavior.…”