If LSNts sufficiency is confirmed, neural plasticity and/or genetic alterations within this circuit (e.g. by mutations in the Nts gene as observed in Lutter et al., 2017 or changes in ‘allostatic load’; McEwen and Akil, 2020) could contribute to persistent maladaptive eating strategies, such as those observed in eating disorders or in other cases obesity. Here, NTS is linked to Obesity.