The increased incidence of obesity makes it imperative to understand the regulation of food
intake and body weight. We review the signals that interact with the brain to control energy
homeostasis, ie energy intake and expenditure. Three broad categories can be
distinguished. Signals generated in the gastrointestinal tract during meals ('satiety'signals,
eg cholecystokinin) elicit satiation and contribute to stopping the meal. The potency of these
acutely acting signals must be increased if they are to be used therapeutically. Hormonal …