ventromedial hypothalamus
Quick Summary
The ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) is a region in the brain that plays a crucial role in regulating food intake and body weight. It acts as a center for satiety signals, meaning it helps to signal when an animal or person has eaten enough.123
If the VMH is damaged, it can lead to hyperphagia, a condition where individuals overeat and gain excessive weight. Conversely, the lateral hypothalamus is associated with initiating feeding responses, and damage to this area can result in aphagia, or a complete lack of eating. The hypothalamus, including the VMH, is part of a complex network that monitors the body's nutritional state and influences feeding motivation.1342
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