BDNF and Anorexia: Specifically, the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) contains insulin and leptin receptors as well as mechanisms that sense glucose levels.9 Intraparenchymal infusion of BDNF to the DVC causes dose-dependent anorexia, implying that alterations in BDNF signaling in the DVC, without any alteration in signaling in the hypothalamus, are sufficient to alter feeding and potentially metabolism parameters.10