Starfish brain connection illustration

Starfish Secrets: How Brain-Like Chemicals Control Appetite and Movement

Lena Kashyap in Science & Nature December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Decoding NGFFYamide: The unexpected link between starfish feeding habits, locomotion, and human anxiety research."

Starfish, those captivating creatures of the sea, possess a feeding behavior unlike any other: they can evert their stomachs outside of their bodies to devour their prey. But how is this bizarre behavior, along with their locomotion, regulated? Scientists have been seeking answers within the starfish's nervous system, focusing on neuropeptides – the chemical messengers of the brain.

A recent study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology sheds light on a particular neuropeptide called NGFFYamide and its crucial role in controlling feeding and movement in the starfish Asterias rubens. What makes this research even more intriguing is the connection it draws to similar systems in humans, particularly those involved in anxiety and appetite control.

This article explores the fascinating world of NGFFYamide, explaining how it affects starfish behavior, what this reveals about the evolution of brain-like chemicals, and the potential implications for our understanding of human biology.

What is NGFFYamide and Why Should You Care?

NGFFYamide belongs to a family of neuropeptides found in various animal species. In starfish, it acts as a signaling molecule, communicating instructions between cells, especially within the nervous system. Scientists have identified NGFFYamide as the key that fits into a specific receptor, named the NPS/CCAP-type receptor, on starfish cells.

The real surprise lies in the evolutionary connections. This NPS/CCAP-type receptor family has counterparts in vertebrates, including humans, where they are known as Neuropeptide S (NPS) receptors. In humans, the NPS system is involved in:

Regulating anxiety and arousal
Controlling appetite and feeding behavior
Influencing locomotor activity

This means that starfish and humans share an ancient chemical language for controlling basic functions. Understanding how NGFFYamide works in starfish can provide valuable clues about how the related NPS system functions in humans.

Starfish as a Window into Our Own Brains

The discovery of NGFFYamide's role in starfish is more than just an interesting biological fact. It highlights how studying seemingly simple creatures can offer profound insights into complex human systems.

By understanding how NGFFYamide and its related receptors function in starfish, scientists can gain a better understanding of drug design for human neurological and metabolic disorders. This research suggests that the fundamental mechanisms controlling mood, movement, and appetite have ancient roots, stretching back to our shared evolutionary ancestors.

Further research is needed to fully understand the intricacies of the NGFFYamide system in starfish and its implications for human health. However, this study serves as a compelling reminder that the answers to some of our most pressing questions may lie in the most unexpected corners of the natural world.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00507, Alternate LINK

Title: Characterization Of Ngffyamide Signaling In Starfish Reveals Roles In Regulation Of Feeding Behavior And Locomotory Systems

Subject: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Journal: Frontiers in Endocrinology

Publisher: Frontiers Media SA

Authors: Ana B. Tinoco, Dean C. Semmens, Emma C. Patching, Elizabeth F. Gunner, Michaela Egertová, Maurice R. Elphick

Published: 2018-09-19

Everything You Need To Know

What is NGFFYamide, and why is it important for understanding both starfish and human biology?

NGFFYamide is a neuropeptide, a type of chemical messenger, found in starfish and other animals. In starfish like *Asterias rubens*, it plays a crucial role in controlling their feeding behavior, including the eversion of their stomachs to consume prey, and their locomotion. Understanding NGFFYamide is significant because it has counterparts in humans, specifically the Neuropeptide S (NPS) system, which is involved in regulating anxiety, arousal, appetite, and movement. Studying NGFFYamide in starfish can provide insights into how the related NPS system functions in humans.

What receptor does NGFFYamide bind to in starfish, and what is the significance of this receptor's counterpart in humans?

Starfish possess a receptor called the NPS/CCAP-type receptor, which binds to NGFFYamide. This receptor is significant because it has counterparts in vertebrates, including humans, where they are known as Neuropeptide S (NPS) receptors. In humans, the NPS system is involved in regulating anxiety and arousal, controlling appetite and feeding behavior, and influencing locomotor activity. The presence of similar receptors in both starfish and humans suggests an ancient evolutionary connection in how these basic functions are controlled.

How does the study of NGFFYamide in starfish reveal evolutionary connections between starfish and humans?

The study highlights the shared evolutionary history between starfish and humans in terms of chemical signaling. The fact that NGFFYamide in starfish and the Neuropeptide S (NPS) system in humans share similar functions suggests that these systems evolved from a common ancestor. This implies that studying simple creatures like starfish can provide valuable clues about the complex biological systems in humans, particularly in areas like anxiety, appetite control, and movement.

Does this research on NGFFYamide suggest any potential treatments or therapies for human conditions like anxiety or appetite disorders?

The study primarily focuses on the role of NGFFYamide in controlling feeding and movement in starfish. While it mentions the connection to human anxiety and appetite control via the Neuropeptide S (NPS) system, it does not delve into specific treatments or therapies. Further research is needed to explore how the findings related to NGFFYamide could be translated into potential treatments for human conditions like anxiety disorders or appetite-related issues. The study opens avenues for investigating the NPS system as a potential target for therapeutic interventions.

Does the discovery of NGFFYamide's role in starfish mean that starfish experience emotions like humans do?

While the study focuses on the role of NGFFYamide in starfish and its connection to the Neuropeptide S (NPS) system in humans, it doesn't explore the emotional experiences of starfish in detail. It primarily deals with the chemical and neurological mechanisms underlying their behavior. Though the NPS system in humans is linked to anxiety and arousal, it's important to note that attributing human-like emotions to starfish requires careful consideration and further research. The study primarily aims to understand the fundamental biological processes shared between starfish and humans, rather than drawing direct parallels in emotional experiences.