Obesity-induced inflammation: connecting the periphery to the brain
Abstract
Obesity is often associated with a chronic, low-grade inflammatory state affecting the entire body. This sustained inflammatory state disrupts the coordinated communication between the periphery and the brain, which has a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis through humoural, nutrient-mediated, immune and nervous signalling pathways. The inflammatory changes induced by obesity specifically affect communication interfaces, including the blood-brain barrier, glymphatic system and meninges. Consequently, brain areas near the third ventricle, including the hypothalamus and other cognition-relevant regions, become susceptible to impairments, resulting in energy homeostasis dysregulation and an elevated risk of cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia. This Review explores the intricate communication between the brain and the periphery, highlighting the effect of obesity-induced inflammation on brain function.
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The proteomic changes related to inflammation underscore the link between obesity and neuroinflammation.
“The proteomic changes related to inflammation underscore the link between obesity and neuroinflammation35.”
From A deep-learning framework reveals whole-body perturbations at cell level (2026) · cites this paper as [35]
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Brain control of energy homeostasis: implications for anti-obesity pharmacotherapy
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A deep-learning framework reveals whole-body perturbations at cell level
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- Authors
- Le Thuc, O., & García-Cáceres, C.
- Venue
- Nature Metabolism
- Published
- 2024-07-12
- Volume
- 6
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 1237-1252
- ISSN
- 2522-5812 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4400588507
- Cited by
- 125
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 64 · 2025: 51 · 2024: 10
- FWCI
- 8.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Nature Metabolism (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PuSH - Publication Server of Helmholtz Zentrum München (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
- Keywords
- obesity, systemic inflammation, blood-brain barrier, glymphatic system, meninges, hypothalamus, energy homeostasis, cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, neuroinflammation
- MeSH terms
- Glymphatic System, Animals, Blood-Brain Barrier, Brain, Homeostasis, Humans, Inflammation, Obesity
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