Endocrine Abstracts

The tight coordinated regulation of food intake and energy expenditure represents the prerequisite for stable body weight control. Dysregulation of energy homeostasis, i.e. obesity represents a major and steadily growing health burden to western societies. The CN coordinates both the control of energy homeostasis, i.e. the balance of food intake and energy expenditure as well as peripheral fuel metabolism. Anatomical lesion experiments, pharmacological inhibition of signaling pathways and, more recently, the analysis of conditional mouse mutants with modifications of hormone and nutrient signaling in defined neuronal populations have broadened our understanding of how these complex neurocircuits interact and how their activity is regulated. The hypothalamus receives information from the periphery of the body about the fuel sources available either via hormonal signals such as leptin and insulin as well as directly by nutrient components such as amino acids, glucose and fatty acids. The presentation will focus on the genetic analysis of interacting neurocircuits involved in these processes.

Declaration of interest: The author declares that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This work was supported, however funding details are unavailable.