USF Health researchers identify brain circuit regulating metabolism

Researchers at USF Health have identified a previously unknown brain circuit in the hypothalamus that regulates metabolism and appetite in response to cold temperatures. The study, published in the journal Neuron, focuses on the dorsal posterior periventricular hypothalamic nucleus (dPVp), a region that had received little prior research attention.

The dPVp acts as a central control hub that becomes highly active when body temperatures drop. It coordinates a series of metabolic responses, including increasing food intake, boosting heat production, and enhancing energy expenditure. This mechanism helps the body manage temperature fluctuations while simultaneously aiding in glucose control and limiting weight gain.

This discovery offers potential new targets for treating metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. Scientists suggest that future therapies could target the dPVp pathway to mimic the metabolic benefits of cold exposure—such as increased energy use—without requiring actual changes in temperature.