The Obese Brain

This chapter explores the complex relationship between the brainBrain and body weight regulation, focusing on the disruptive impact of obesity. The brainBrain, specifically the hypothalamusHypothalamus, plays a central role in regulating food intake and energy balance. We focus into the contribution of several brainBrain regions, neurotransmitters, and hormonesHormones in this complex regulation, revealing a finely tuned system governing hunger and satiety. Obesity, a global health challenge, compromises the brainBrain's regulatory mechanisms. We highlight the molecular and structural alterations it induces, impacting hormonal and neurotransmitter signalling. We revisit some brainBrain imaging studies that offer insights into how obesity promotes different structural changes within the brainBrain, promoting impaired neuronal activity and connectivity, and brainBrain atrophy. These changes directly correlate obesity and complex disorders such as dementia, neurodegenerative diseases, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, we discuss the current therapeutic approaches for obesity, which encompass lifestyle changes, bariatric surgeryBariatric surgery, and anti-obesityAnti-obesity medications. The future of obesity treatment lies in personalized medicine, promising innovative solutions for this urgent health issue. This chapter underscores the multifaceted nature of obesity and the imperative need for multifaceted strategies that address its metabolic, neurological, and psychological aspects. Improving our understanding of the intricate interplay between neural structure and function upon obesity, will pave the way for more effective prophylactic and therapeutic approaches.