The article discusses the neural mechanisms underlying the control of food intake and its implications for obesity. It highlights the role of dopamine and other neurotransmitters in regulating reward and motivation, and how these circuits interact with homeostatic signals to control eating behaviors. The authors argue that obesity may be linked to impairments in dopaminergic pathways involved in reward sensitivity, conditioning, and control. They also explore the impact of peripheral signals, such as neuropeptides that regulate energy balance, on brain circuits involved in food intake. The article reviews imaging studies showing that obese individuals may have altered brain activation patterns in response to food cues and actual food consumption, suggesting an imbalance between reward circuitry and executive control. Additionally, it discusses the cognitive disruptions associated with obesity, including executive function, attention, and memory, and the potential role of these cognitive impairments in overeating. The authors conclude by emphasizing the need to understand the complex interactions between homeostatic and reward processes to develop effective strategies for managing obesity.The article discusses the neural mechanisms underlying the control of food intake and its implications for obesity. It highlights the role of dopamine and other neurotransmitters in regulating reward and motivation, and how these circuits interact with homeostatic signals to control eating behaviors. The authors argue that obesity may be linked to impairments in dopaminergic pathways involved in reward sensitivity, conditioning, and control. They also explore the impact of peripheral signals, such as neuropeptides that regulate energy balance, on brain circuits involved in food intake. The article reviews imaging studies showing that obese individuals may have altered brain activation patterns in response to food cues and actual food consumption, suggesting an imbalance between reward circuitry and executive control. Additionally, it discusses the cognitive disruptions associated with obesity, including executive function, attention, and memory, and the potential role of these cognitive impairments in overeating. The authors conclude by emphasizing the need to understand the complex interactions between homeostatic and reward processes to develop effective strategies for managing obesity.