Fig. 2.

Effect of acute stress on dopamine neurotransmission and palatable food intake: acute exposures to stress engage the PVN and promote sympathetic and HPA axis activation leading to direct engagement of dopamine pathways. Downstream, glucocorticoid response and promotion of anorectic versus orexigenic neuropeptides inhibit food intake. However, acute stress associated with short-term removal of HFD activates stress systems that may persist for extended periods to promote seeking and intake of palatable foods. Further, activation of stress systems may reduce chow intake but promote consumption of palatable foods that acutely activate NAc dopamine neurotransmission and provide an alternate ‘avoidance or escape’ behaviour.

ACTH, adrenocorticotropin; CORT, corticosterone/cortisol; CRF, corticotrophin-releasing factor; NPY, neuropeptide Y; POMC, pro-opiomelanocortin; AGRP, agouti-related peptide; HPA, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal; KOR, κ-opioid receptor; Δ, change.