Scientists traced a direct nerve connection from a brain region that controls hunger to the fat tissue that burns calories.
Scientific Claim
Neuronal projections from arcuate nucleus POMC neurons to interscapular brown adipose tissue exist in mice, as demonstrated by retrograde labeling with cholera toxin subunit B.
Original Statement
“Two weeks after bilateral administration of CTB into the BAT of POMC-cre::POMC-eGFP mice, a subset of POMC neurons was labeled with an anti-CTB antibody (Fig. 1f, g).”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
definitive
Can make definitive causal claims
Assessment Explanation
The study used a validated retrograde tracer to demonstrate direct innervation. The claim reports observed anatomical connectivity without inferring functional causation.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
The potential role of hypothalamic POMCTRPM2 in interscapular BAT thermogenesis
Scientists used a special dye that travels backward along nerves to show that brain cells called POMC neurons in mice are physically connected to the fat tissue that generates heat, proving the link exists.