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Insulin resistance in the brain: Evidence supporting a role for inflammation, reactive microglia, and the impact of biological sex

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Increased intake of highly processed, energy-dense foods combined with a sedentary lifestyle are helping fuel the current overweight and obesity crisis, which is more prevalent in women than in men. Although peripheral organs such as adipose tissue contribute to the physiological development of obesity, emerging work aims to understand the role of the central nervous system to whole body energy homeostasis and development of weight gain and obesity. The present review discusses the impact of insulin, insulin resistance, free fatty acids, and inflammation on brain function and how these differ between the males and females in the context of obesity. We highlight the potential of microglia, the resident immune cells in the brain, as mediators of neuronal insulin resistance that drive reduced satiety, increased food intake and thus, obesity.

History

Publication title

Neuroendocrinology

Pagination

1-12

ISSN

0028-3835

Department/School

Wicking Dementia Research Education Centre

Publisher

Karger

Place of publication

Allschwilerstrasse 10, Basel, Switzerland, Ch-4009

Rights statement

Copyright 2022 S. Karger AG, Basel

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Prevention of human diseases and conditions; Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences

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