Hunger hormone in infancy may link to lifelong obesity risk

Researchers now reveal an unexpected role for ghrelin in early brain development and show its long-term impact on appetite regulation. "We've shown that neonatal ghrelin directly influences development in the part of the brain related to appetite and the regulation of metabolism," said the principal investigator. "This study suggests a link between maturation of the gut-brain axis and later susceptibility to obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease."