Serotonin neurons in the dorsal raphe control food-craving-like behavior during pregnancy in mice

Nature Neuroscience, Published online: 18 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41593-026-02445-3

Zhao, Feng, Dong and colleagues found that pregnant mice crave highly palatable foods due to SK3-mediated inhibition of 5-HT neurons in DRN. Reactivating serotonergic DRN→VTA projections reduced these cravings and may provide new approaches to prevent maternal obesity.