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Published on: April 4, 2012
Is obesity our genetic legacy?
Alexandra I F Blakemore1, Philippe Froguel
1Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom.
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|December 4, 2008
Summary
Genetic factors significantly influence obesity by affecting appetite regulation. While specific gene defects cause extreme obesity, subtle variations in these genes contribute to common obesity, highlighting neuroendocrine pathways.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Neuroendocrinology
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Understanding obesity's biological drivers is crucial for management and therapeutics.
- Genetic factors play a significant role in the current obesity epidemic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on genetic factors in obesity.
- To explore neuroendocrine mechanisms and identify research directions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of published literature on monogenic, syndromic, and common obesity genetics.
- Review of candidate gene association and genome-wide association studies.
Main Results:
- Neuroendocrine mechanisms of appetite regulation are key genetic drivers of obesity.
- Monogenic obesity involves hyperphagia linked to the leptin-melanocortin pathway.
- The FTO gene is a significant contributor to both childhood and adult obesity.
Conclusions:
- Progress in understanding obesity genetics is encouraging but incomplete.
- Further research into genetic variations like copy number polymorphisms is needed.
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