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Hormone deficiency in brain may cause binge eating

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New York: Absence of an hormone in the brain may trigger overeating behaviour in people who eat for pleasure rather than hunger, researchers report.

In the lab experiments, researchers found that when the “glucagon like peptide-1” (GLP-1) hormone was reduced in the central nervous system of mice, they overate and consumed more high fat food.

“The mice in which the peptide deficiency was induced ate beyond the need for calories and showed an increase preference for high fat food,” said Vincent Mirabella, doctoral student from New Jersey-based Rutgers University.

“Conversely, when we enhanced GLP-1 signaling in the brains of mice, we were able to block the preference of high fat foods,” he added.

GLP-1 peptides are small sequences of amino acids that have many functions, including how our bodies regulate eating behaviours.

They are secreted from cells in both the small intestine and the brain and are supposed to let our brain know when we are satisfied and should put down the fork.

The results provide new evidence that targeting neurons in the mesolimbic dopamine system -a reward circuit in the brain – rather than targeting the whole body might be a better way to control overeating and obesity with fewer side effects.

“Over eating, which causes obesity, can be considered a food addiction and a neuropsychiatric disorder,” assistant professor Zhiping Pang noted.

“By finding out how the central nervous system regulates food intake behaviour via GLP-1 signaling, we may be able to provide more targeted therapy with fewer side effects,” he concluded in a paper published in the journal Cell Reports.

Corona

Covid toll in Karnataka is a worrying sign for state government

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Even though Karnataka recorded the lowest number of Covid deaths in April since the virus struck first in 2020, the state is recording a rise in the positivity rate (1.50 per cent). Five people died from the Covid infections in April as per the statistics released by the state health department. In March, the positivity rate stood around 0.53 per cent. In the first week of April it came down to 0.38 per cent, second week registered 0.56 per cent, third week it rose to 0.79 per cent and by end of April the Covid positivity rate touched 1.19 per cent.

on an average 500 persons used to succumb everyday in the peak of Covid infection, as per the data. Health experts said that the mutated Coronavirus is losing its fierce characteristics as vaccination, better treatment facilities and awareness among the people have contributed to the lesser number of Covid deaths.

During the 4th and 6th of April two deaths were reported in Bengaluru, one in Gadag district on April 8, two deaths were reported from Belagavi and Vijayapura on April 30. The first Covid case was reported in the state in March 2020 and three Covid deaths were recorded in the month. In the following month 21 people became victims to the deadly virus, and May 2020 recorded 22 deaths. The death toll recorded everyday after May crossed three digits. However, the third wave, which started in January 2

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