Neurobiology of Obesity

Concise overview, for academic researchers and graduates, of recent developments in the field of obesity.

Jenni Harvey (Edited by), Dominic J. Withers (Edited by)

9780521860338, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 26 June 2008

336 pages, 17 b/w illus. 8 tables
25.3 x 17.2 x 2 cm, 0.81 kg

Obesity is one of the prime contributors to ill health in modern society, affecting around 20–25% of the population. It can cause or exacerbate a variety of health problems and is often associated with several other diseases including type II diabetes, coronary heart disease and certain types of cancer. Significant progress has been made in understanding the role of the nervous system and, in particular, the complex interplay between a range of orexigenic and anorectic agents within specific hypothalamic nuclei in the regulation of energy balance, appetite and adiposity. Several different neuronal pathways, neurotransmitters and hormones have been identified as major players in the regulation of feeding behavior and body weight and these are now being targeted as having therapeutic potential. Written for academic researchers and graduate students, Neurobiology of Obesity is a concise overview of recent developments in this field, written by leading international experts.

1. Introductory chapter Benjamin C. T. Field, Caroline J. Small and Stephen R. Bloom
2. Genetics of human and rodent body weight regulation Karin Clément
3. Hypothalamic control of energy homeostasis Neel S. Singhal and Rexford S. Ahima
4. Leptin and insulin as adiposity signals Kevin D. Niswender
5. Convergence of leptin and insulin signalling networks in obesity Callum Sutherland and Mike Ashford
6. Diet-induced obesity in animal models and how this compares to human obesity Barry E. Levin and Alison M. Strack
7. Melanocortins and the control of body weight Virginie Tolle and Malcolm J. Low
8. Role of Opiates in regulating energy balance Richard J. Bodnar and Allen S. Levine
9. Ghrelin: An orexigenic signal from the stomach Tamas Horvath
10. CNS Controls of apoptosis of adipose tissue Mary Anne Della-Fera, Mark W. Hamrick and Clifton A. Baile
11. Potential therapies to limit obesity Jason C. G. Halford.

Subject Areas: Neurosciences [PSAN], Obesity: treatment & therapy [MMZF]