SEOUL, Feb. 23 (AJP) – A research team at Kookmin University has identified a neuroendocrine circuit in the brain that allows animals to dynamically adjust their salt intake based on their body’s sodium levels. The study, led by Professor Lee Yong-seok from the Department of Bio-Fermentation and Fusion Sciences, revealed how certain brain cells act as internal sensors to maintain salt balance.

The study results will be published online on February 21st, followed by publication in the weekly journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on February 24th, 2026.

Taste is usually associated with receptors on the tongue, but the body also has internal mechanisms to maintain homeostasis. If sodium levels in the body are already high, the body instinctively limits further salt intake to prevent damage. Using a Drosophila melanogaster model, the research team demonstrated that specific neurons in the brain directly monitor the salt concentration of internal fluids and regulate this rejection response.

This study focuses on two key components: insulin-producing cells (MNCs) and leukokinin (Lk) neurons, the insect equivalent of human tachykinin. When salt levels are high in the body, these neurons remain active to maintain an aversion to high-salt foods and prevent overconsumption. Conversely, when the body lacks salt, leukokinin signals stimulate insulin-producing cells to change the animal’s preference for eating higher concentrations of salt that it would normally avoid.

Importantly, this study demonstrated that these neurons function as central sodium sensors that operate independently of external signals from the tongue and esophagus. This means that the brain itself tastes the salt levels within the internal environment and determines behavior.

Professor Lee Young-seok said the study identified an endocrine mechanism by which the brain monitors salt levels in the body and changes behavior accordingly. He said that because this principle is similar to how mammals maintain salt balance, the study provides a basis for understanding why people with high blood pressure and diabetes consume large amounts of salt, and could point to new therapeutic targets.

This research was supported by the Science and Technology Basic Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea. The research team was led by Professor Lee Yong-seok, with Puri Sonali and Sang Ji-eun serving as co-lead authors.

(paper information)
Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)
Title: Insulin and leucokinin pathways regulate adaptive salt appetite in Drosophila
Doi: https://bit.ly/4sakqHg

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