Regulation of hedonic feeding rhythms by circadian clocks in leptin-receptive neurons

Leptin deficiency in mice leads to increased hedonic appetite during the early rest phase.

• Hedonic appetite is specifically heightened in leptin-deficient mice during early rest.
• Clock-deficient mice show reduced rhythmicity in both hedonic and homeostatic appetite control.
• Disruption of clock function in leptin-sensitive neurons results in lower sensitivity to palatable food.
• Mice with clock function disruption exhibit reduced initial weight gain and less adipose tissue growth on a high-calorie diet.
• A local clock-controlled mechanism in the central nervous system may regulate food intake and metabolic balance.

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