A team of experts from the University of Iowa made a new discovery based on studying the effect of aldosterone. This is the key hormone that controls sodium levels.
Scientists have confirmed for the first time that sodium deficiency in the diet of mice increases aldosterone production and salt intake. It also increases the activity of a small group of neurons in the brainstem called HSD2.
Experts used genetically targeted cell ablation to show that HSD2 neurons are required for aldosterone-driven salt uptake. Moreover, they were able to discover that humans also have a small number of HSD2 neurons in the same part of the brainstem as animals.
Overall, the results of the experiment show that aldosterone affects a small population of HSD2 neurons (mice have about 200 HSD2 neurons and humans have 1000 HSD2 neurons) and causes sodium-seeking and eating behavior. Increasing salt appetite may be the only central function of these neurons.
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Source: Ferra
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