[Neuroendocrine aspects of obesity]

Genetic, social, metabolic, endocrine and neural events participate in the physiopathological development of obesity. Because of the multifactorial background of obesity, up to now, it has been very difficult to fully understand the whole disease. In fact, the relationship between several signals, through very complex mechanisms, is only partially known. Obesity, from a neuroendocrine point of view, implies taking into account abnormalities in both hypothalamic and endocrine functions. Among altered functions in obesity, namely those involving the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal and adipo-insular axes activities and the neural circuitry controlling food intake and energy expenditure have been subjects of major research. This review attempts to update information about this disorder by, firstly, analyzing each of the already mentioned systems and, secondly, focusing on the normal function of integrated processes. Finally, the discussion of some altered mechanisms and the role played by each of them in the development/maintenance of the obesity phenotype are also revisited.