Can what we remember about food influence how much we eat? A new study from the Monell Chemical Senses Center answers that question with a clear “Yes.” Led by Dr. Guillaume de Lartigue, the research team has uncovered groundbreaking findings on how the brain’s memory system directly contributes to overeating and obesity.
Published in Nature Metabolism, the study reveals a specific group of neurons in the mouse brain that store memories related to sugar and fat. These food memories play a key role in influencing our eating behavior and body weight. Dr. de Lartigue explains, “In today’s world, we’re constantly surrounded by reminders of enjoyable food experiences. What’s surprising is that we’ve found a distinct group of neurons in the hippocampus responsible for both forming these food memories and driving our eating habits.”
These neurons are specialized in encoding memories of the locations where sugar and fat-rich foods are found. When these neurons are silenced, mice have trouble recalling food memories, leading to reduced sugar intake and preventing weight gain—even when exposed to diets that typically lead to obesity. On the other hand, activating these neurons enhances food memories, causing increased food consumption and showing how memories directly influence our diets.
The findings introduce two major concepts: first, the discovery that specific neurons in the brain are responsible for storing food-related memories, and second, that these memories have a direct impact on what and how much we eat. Dr. de Lartigue notes, “It’s well-known that we remember enjoyable food experiences, but it was once thought that these memories had little effect on our eating behavior. What’s surprising is that blocking these neurons can prevent weight gain, even when consuming fat- and sugar-rich foods.”
This study challenges the idea that memory simply plays a passive role in food intake. It reveals a direct connection between our memory systems and metabolic health, showing that certain brain circuits can influence not just our memory but our metabolism. Deleting sugar-sensitive neurons in the hippocampus not only disrupts memory but also leads to lower sugar consumption, protecting against weight gain—even in response to high-sugar diets. This groundbreaking research provides new insights into how memory and metabolism are intertwined, an area that has been largely overlooked in obesity studies.
Dr. de Lartigue explains, “Memory systems in the hippocampus evolved to help animals remember food sources essential for survival. But in today’s world, where food is readily available and environmental cues are everywhere, these systems may contribute to overeating and obesity.”
One of the study’s most exciting discoveries is that food-related memories are highly specific. Neurons that respond to sugar affect only sugar-related memories and intake, while neurons responding to fat influence fat consumption. These circuits do not interfere with other types of memory, such as spatial memory. Dr. de Lartigue adds, “The specificity of these circuits shows how finely tuned the brain is to link food with behavior, allowing animals to distinguish between different types of food sources.”
This specificity likely evolved because in nature, foods that contain both fat and sugar are rare, a concept the researchers believe played a role in developing separate memory systems for sugar and fat.
The implications of this study could be huge for treating obesity. By targeting these food-related memory circuits, it might be possible to disrupt the brain’s natural food triggers, helping to reduce overeating of unhealthy foods.
Dr. de Lartigue concludes, “These neurons are essential for linking sensory cues to food intake. Their role in both memory and metabolism makes them a promising target for future obesity treatments in today’s food-abundant environment.”
This research was conducted with the collaboration of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Southern California, with support from the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association.
By understanding the connection between food memories and overeating, this study opens up new possibilities for treating and preventing obesity in the modern world.
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