Introduction
eating disorders
Ghrelin, a 28–amino acid hormone produced by endocrine cells of the stomach transmits a hunger signal to the brain that depends on distension of the stomach and relays information about nutrient availability. Actions of ghrelin are mediated by the ghrelin receptor (also referred to as the growth hormone secretagogue receptor [GHSR]), which is highly expressed in the hypothalamus, but also in extrahypothalamic brain areas (Neurocircuitry mediating appetite regulation may also be a shared substrate of eating disorders and addiction (When administered i.v., ghrelin increases appetite in healthy volunteers (