Appetite and hedonism: gut hormones and the brain.

Precise automatic control of food intake and energy expenditure maintains a steady weight and is fundamental to survival. The brainstem and hypothalamus are key areas within the brain that integrate peripheral signals from the gut and adipose tissue to control feeding behavior according to energy need. Gut hormones are released after a meal and signal to the brain to initiate meal termination and feelings of satiation. However, reward pathways are able to override this mechanism so that when palatable food is presented, food is consumed irrespective of energy requirements.