Brain reveals the risk for developing obesity

Date:
November 3, 2021
Source:
University of Turku
Summary:
Obesity risk factors of family background are associated with
changes in the brain function, finds a new study. The results
show that the function of neural networks regulating satiety and
appetite is altered already before a person develops obesity.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Obesity risk factors of family background are associated with changes
in the brain function, finds a study conducted at the Finnish Turku PET
Centre. The results show that the function of neural networks regulating satiety and appetite is altered already before a person develops obesity.


========================================================================== Obesity is a globally increasing health problem, and new interventions
to prevent and treat obesity are needed. Obesity is linked to changes in
brain insulin sensitivity and neurotransmitter function. These changes
may explain increased appetite and overeating.

"However, thus far it has not been determined whether these changes are
visible in the brain already before a person develops obesity, and if
these changes would increase the risk for future obesity," says Doctoral Candidate Tatu Kantonen from the Department of Clinical Medicine of the University of Turku.

Kantonen's study investigated changes in the brain in pre-obesity by
studying the insulin, opioid, and cannabinoid function through PET
imaging. The participants of the study consisted of 41 young men with
varying number of obesity risk factors.

The results showed that family-related risk factors such as parents'
obesity or diabetes were associated with altered insulin signalling
in the subject's brain as well as reduced function of the opioid and
cannabioid systems.

"Disturbance in the neural networks controlling satiation and appetite
can therefore be observed already before a person develops obesity,
and these brain changes are connected to family-related risk factors
of obesity. The results may have implications for the development of
prevention and treatment interventions for obesity. They show that the
brain and central nervous system are important targets in the treatment
of obesity," says Kantonen.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Turku. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Tatu Kantonen, Laura Pekkarinen, Tomi Karjalainen, Marco Bucci, Kari
Kalliokoski, Merja Haaparanta-Solin, Richard Aarnio, Alex
M. Dickens, Annie von Eyken, Kirsi Laitinen, Noora Houttu, Anna
K. Kirjavainen, Semi Helin, Jussi Hirvonen, Tapani Ro"nnemaa,
Pirjo Nuutila, Lauri Nummenmaa.

Obesity risk is associated with altered cerebral glucose metabolism
and decreased m-opioid and CB1 receptor availability. International
Journal of Obesity, 2021; DOI: 10.1038/s41366-021-00996-y ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/11/211103115454.htm

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