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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Segmentation and Measurement of Fat Volumes in Murine Obesity Models Using X-ray Computed Tomography

Segmentation and Measurement of Fat Volumes in Murine Obesity Models Using X-ray Computed Tomography

Published on: April 4, 2012

Monogenic human obesity syndromes.

¹Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK. fd219@cam.ac.uk

Progress in Brain Research

|August 1, 2006

Summary

Genetic discoveries in mice and humans have revealed key molecules involved in energy balance and obesity. This review examines human monogenic obesity syndromes to understand their role in regulating body weight and neuroendocrine function.

Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Genetics
Obesity Research

Background:

Significant increase in research on energy balance and obesity.
Driven by genetic discoveries in murine obesity syndromes.
Identification of single gene defects causing severe human obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

Review human monogenic obesity syndromes.
Discuss the role of identified molecules in human body weight regulation.
Explore neuroendocrine function in relation to obesity.

Main Methods:

Literature review of human monogenic obesity syndromes.
Analysis of genetic defects and affected molecules.
Correlation of findings with rodent obesity models.

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Main Results:

Several single gene defects causing severe human obesity identified.
Many defects involve molecules similar to those in rodent models.
These findings support the physiological role of specific molecules in weight regulation.

Conclusions:

Human monogenic obesity provides insights into weight control.
Genetic studies highlight key pathways in energy balance.
Understanding these pathways is crucial for neuroendocrine and metabolic health.