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Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is one of the most powerful orexigenic peptides, exerting critical feeding related functions in the hypothalamus. However, NPY is also present in extra-hypothalamic nuclei where it is modulated in response to metabolic and other physiological perturbations, but far less is known about these NPY populations and their influence on energy homeostasis. Under conditions of high-fat-diet (HFD) feeding in combination with chronic stress (HFDS), the expression of NPY is robustly upregulated in the central amygdala (CeM) as well as in the arcuate nucleus (Arc), accompanied by an increase in HFD consumption resulting in a significant increase in body fat mass, and a decrease in energy expenditure (EE). To delineate the functional role of CeM-NPY under HFDS condition, we overexpressed NPY specifically in NPY neurons of the CeM in mice. This resulted in increase in food intake and diet …