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By Kirsten Houmann, Ivanhoe Health Correspondent
ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- The discovery of a brain pathways role in food intake may lead to new treatments for obesity and other diseases.
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A protein called NF-kappaB and its associated gene are known to be involved in metabolism in liver, fat and skeletal muscle tissues. When scientists looked for this same pathway in the hypothalamus -- the part of the brain that regulates appetite and energy balance -- they found it also influenced how much mice eat. More specifically, they found overfeeding the mice spurred the pathway into action. When they suppressed the pathways activity, the animals were significantly protected from overeating and obesity.
When this pathway is involved in the brain, it causes a broad range of problems, lead author Dongsheng Cai, M.D., Ph.D., an assistant professor of physiology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, told Ivanhoe.
Dr. Cai says he hopes the discovery will eventually to a better understanding of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases -- which are both fueled by overeating. He also hopes it will lead to new treatments and prevention strategies for those diseases.
We know that dysregulation in the brain is essential for development of disease, so to target that is a root strategy, Dr. Cai said. Now were talking about a core mechanism, and well target that mechanism to prevent disease.
SOURCE: Ivanhoe interview with Dongsheng Cai, M.D., Ph.D.; Cell, 2008;135:61-73
If this story or any other Ivanhoe story has impacted your life or prompted you or someone you know to seek or change treatments, please let us know by contacting Lindsay Braun at lbraun@ivanhoe.com.
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
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