title: Brain reorganization following weight loss.
abstract: The long-term stability of bodyweight despite wide variation in energy intake and expenditure suggests that at usual weight energy intake and output are 'coupled' to maintain body energy stores. Our model for some of the molecular mechanics of this regulation of energy stores is based on the concept of a neurally encoded 'threshold' for minimum body fat, below which compensatory physiology is invoked to restore body fat. The existence of such a centrally encoded threshold is supported by the similarities in response to maintenance of a reduced weight between lean and obese individuals, and the tendency for weight-reduced individuals to regain weight to levels of fat stores similar to those present prior to initial weight loss. Brain responses to food and the observed changes in energy expenditure that occur during maintenance of a reduced weight are largely reversed by the administration of the adipocyte-derived hormone, leptin. .
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. mr475@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosenbaum
authors.forename: Rudolph L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Leibel
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000378:metabolism; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin