Only the salt-sensing brain cells get more active when salt is low—not other nearby cells—and they don’t get the signal from nerves in the gut, meaning they respond directly to hormones in the blood.

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Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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Aldosterone-Sensing Neurons in the NTS Exhibit State-Dependent Pacemaker Activity and Drive Sodium Appetite via Synergy with Angiotensin II Signaling.

Cohort Study

Animal

2017 Sep 27

When your body needs salt, special brain cells called NTSHSD2 neurons turn on by themselves using internal switches, not because of signals from your nerves—this happens because of hormones, not because your stomach or gut is telling them to.

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No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Aldosterone-Sensing Neurons in the NTS Exhibit State-Dependent Pacemaker Activity and Drive Sodium Appetite via Synergy with Angiotensin II Signaling.

Score: 11

DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2017.09.014

Similar Assertions

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