Ghrelin, also known as the 'hunger hormone,' has the unique ability to enter the CNS and interact with the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) within the hippocampus.
It is primarily secreted by the stomach and acts at its receptor, the growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHSR1a), in the hypothalamus to signal hunger and promote food intake.
Dietary restraint and disinhibition were associated with an SNP in GHSR (477G>A, P<0.05), and perceived hunger with SNPs in GHSR and NPY (477G>A and 204T>C, P<0.05).