What part of the brain is responsible for appetite control?

The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in appetite control by regulating food intake and energy expenditure. It integrates signals related to hunger and satiety from various sources, including hormones such as ghrelin and leptin, which influence appetite. The hypothalamus contains specific nuclei that are involved in the detection of energy status and the modulation of feeding behavior. By responding to these hormonal and neural signals, the hypothalamus helps maintain energy balance and body weight.

In contrast, the cerebellum primarily coordinates motor control and does not have a direct role in appetite regulation. The brainstem is involved in basic autonomic functions and controls some aspects of hunger but is not as directly linked to appetite regulation as the hypothalamus. The cerebral cortex, while involved in higher cognitive functions and the processing of sensory inputs related to food, does not directly control appetite in the same fundamental way as the hypothalamus. This makes the hypothalamus the key structure for appetite control.