Neurons Image credit: Denis Burdakov
Electrical impulses emitted by orexin cells stimulate wakefulness and tell the body to burn calories. We wondered whether dietary nutrients alter those impulses." - —Dr Denis Burdakov of the Department of Pharmacology - A new study has found that protein and not sugar activates the cells responsible for keeping us awake and burning calories. The research, published today in the 17 November issue of the scientific journal Neuron , has implications for understanding obesity and sleep disorders. Wakefulness and energy expenditure rely on "orexin cells", which secrete a stimulant called orexin/hypocretin in the brain. Reduced activity in these unique cells results in narcolepsy and has been linked to weight gain. Scientists at the University of Cambridge compared actions of different nutrients on orexin cells. They found that amino acids - nutrients found in proteins such as egg whites - stimulate orexin neurons much more than other nutrients.
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