Studies in neuroscience with applications to humans offer clues about what makes us start eating, and when we stop.

“On day 1, the brain doesn’t represent the space very well,” says research scientist Wei Guo, the study’s lead author.

A new study shows that when energy is depleted—such as during a stroke—neurons begin releasing glutamate in abnormal, self-amplifying bursts that can damage nerve cells.

When mice encounter an unfamiliar food, neurons in a brain region called the amygdala light up (blue). If the mice start feeling sick after the meal, the same neurons get reinforced to help the mouse ...