Received August 14, 2007
Revised September 13, 2007
Accepted after revision October 26, 2007
Neuroendocrinology/Endocrinology [270]
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Central regulation of sodium appetite
Joel C Geerling 1*
Arthur D Loewy 1
1 Washington University School of Medicine
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: geerlinj{at}msnotes.wustl.edu.
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Abstract |
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Sodium appetite, the behavioral drive to ingest salt, is stimulated by prolonged physiologic sodium deficiency in many animal species. The same neural mechanisms that are responsible for sodium appetite in laboratory animals may influence human behavior as well, with particular relevance to the dietary salt intake of patients with diseases such as heart failure, renal failure, liver failure, and salt-sensitive hypertension. Since the original experimental work of Curt Richter in the 1930s, much has been learned about the regulation of salt-ingestive behavior. Here, we review data from physiology, pharmacology, neuroanatomy, and neurobehavioral investigations into the stimulatory and inhibitory signals that regulate sodium appetite. A rudimentary framework is proposed for the brain circuits that integrate peripheral information representing the need for sodium with neural signals for the gustatory detection of salt in order to drive a motivated ingestive response. Based on this model, areas of remaining uncertainty are highlighted where future information would allow a more detailed understanding of the neural circuitry responsible for sodium appetite.
Key Words:
Central nervous system, Fluid balance, Sodium
