Interplay between the brain and adipose tissue a metabolic conversation

Francisco Díaz-Castro, Eugenia Morselli*, Marc Claret*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The central nervous system and adipose tissue interact through complex communication. This bidirectional signaling regulates metabolic functions. The hypothalamus, a key homeostatic brain region, integrates exteroceptive and interoceptive signals to control appetite, energy expenditure, glucose, and lipid metabolism. This regulation is partly achieved via the nervous modulation of white (WAT) and brown (BAT) adipose tissue. In this review, we highlight the roles of sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation in regulating WAT and BAT activities, such as lipolysis and thermogenesis. Adipose tissue, in turn, plays a dual role as an energy reservoir and an endocrine organ, secreting hormones that influence brain function and metabolic health. In addition, this review focuses on recently uncovered communication pathways, including extracellular vesicles and neuro-mesenchymal units, which add new layers of regulation and complexity to the brain–adipose tissue interaction. Finally, we also examine the consequences of disrupted communication between the brain and adipose tissue in metabolic disorders like obesity and type-2 diabetes, emphasizing the potential for new therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways to improve metabolic health.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5277-5293
Number of pages17
JournalEMBO Reports
Volume25
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

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