Novel neuropeptides in the control of food intake: neuronostatin and nesfatin-1.

Food intake is a complex, multifaceted process that involves the integration of numerous nutritional signals and behavioral outputs. Dozens of centrally acting peptide hormones that contribute to the control of appetite and food intake have been identified. Two recently described peptide hormones, neuronostatin and nesfatin-1, both act in the brain to induce anorexia, albeit through potentially different mechanisms. In this chapter, the central circuits mediating the anorexigenic effect of these two hormones, their interaction with the central melanocortin and oxytocin systems, and the physiological relevance of these hormones in appetite control are described and an integrated model of hypothalamic control of energy intake is presented.