Biology subjects

Vergara, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Vergara, M..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

Asymmetric control of food intake by left and right vagal sensory neurons

We investigated the lateralization of gut-innervating vagal sensory neurons and their roles in feeding behavior. Using genetic, anatomical, and behavioral analyses, we discovered a subset of highly lateralized vagal sensory neurons with distinct sensory responses to intestinal stimuli. Our results demonstrated that left vagal sensory neurons (LNG) are crucial for distension-induced satiety, while right vagal sensory neurons (RNG) mediate preference for nutritive foods. Furthermore, these lateralized neurons engage different central circuits, with LNG neurons recruiting brain regions associated with energy balance and RNG neurons activating areas related to salience, memory, and reward. Altogether, our findings unveil the diverse roles of asymmetrical gut-vagal-brain circuits in feeding behavior, offering new insights for potential therapeutic interventions targeting vagal nerve stimulation in metabolic and neuropsychiatric diseases. One Sentence SummaryLateralized gut-brain circuits respond to different sensory modalities and control distinct feeding behaviors.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Labeled lines for fat and sugar reward combine to promote overeating

Food is a powerful natural reinforcer that guides feeding decisions. The vagus nerve conveys internal sensory information from the gut to the brain about nutritional value; however, the cellular and molecular basis of macronutrient-specific reward circuits are poorly understood. Here, we monitor in vivo calcium dynamics to provide direct evidence of independent vagal sensing pathways for detection of dietary fats and sugars. Using activity-dependent genetic capture of nutrient-specific vagal neurons activated in response gut infusions, we demonstrate the existence of separate hard-wired reward circuits for fat and sugar that are necessary and sufficient for nutrient-specific reinforcement. Even when controlling for calories, combined activation of fat and sugar circuits increases overeating compared to fat or sugar alone. This work provides new insight on the complex sensory circuitry that mediates motivated behavior and suggests that a subconscious internal drive to consume obesogenic diets (e.g., those high in both fat and sugar) may impede conscious dieting efforts.

neuroscience↗