Role of ghrelin in food reward: impact of ghrelin on sucrose self‐administration and mesolimbic dopamine and acetylcholine receptor gene expression

The decision to eat is strongly influenced by non‐homeostatic factors such as food palatability. Indeed, the rewarding and motivational value of food can override homeostatic signals, leading to increased consumption and hence, obesity. Ghrelin, a gut‐derived orexigenic hormone, has a prominent role in homeostatic feeding. Recently, however, it has emerged as a potent modulator of the mesolimbic dopaminergic reward pathway, suggesting a role for...