The interaction between nutrition and the brain and its consequences for body weight gain and metabolism

Aberrant feeding behavior can lead to obesity and obesity-related medical consequences, such as insulin resistance and diabetes. Although alterations in glucose metabolism (i.e. insulin resistance), in the presence of excessive fat tissue are often explained by the consequences of dysfunctional adipose tissue, evidence is emerging that also altered brain functions might be an important determinant of insulin resistance. Data will be presented on how feeding behavior and obesity interact with brain circuitry and how these interactions affect glucose metabolism.