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Updated: May 15, 2026

Using a Combination of Indirect Calorimetry, Infrared Thermography, and Blood Glucose Levels to Measure Brown Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis in Humans
Published on: June 2, 2023
Brown adipose tissue functions in humans
Kirsi A Virtanen1, Wouter D van Marken Lichtenbelt, Pirjo Nuutila
1Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Finland. kirsi.virtanen@utu.fi
Human adults possess metabolically active brown adipose tissue (BAT). Its function, measurable via PET/CT scans, is stimulated by cold and potentially other factors, offering insights into obesity and weight loss.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Metabolism
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Human adults exhibit functionally active brown adipose tissue (BAT).
- BAT's metabolic function is measurable in vivo using advanced imaging like PET/CT.
- Obesity is linked to reduced BAT metabolic activity, which can be improved by weight reduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the current understanding of brown adipose tissue (BAT) function in human adults.
- To highlight methods for measuring BAT metabolic activity.
- To discuss factors influencing BAT activity, including cold exposure and weight status.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on human BAT.
- Discussion of in vivo metabolic measurements using Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT).
Main Results:
- Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is metabolically active in adult humans.
- Cold is a potent stimulator of BAT metabolic activity.
- Weight reduction, such as post-bariatric surgery, can reverse decreased BAT activity.
Conclusions:
- Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a role in human metabolism.
- Imaging techniques like PET/CT are crucial for assessing BAT function.
- Understanding BAT activity is important for metabolic health and obesity research.
More Related Videos
10:30Whole Body and Regional Quantification of Active Human Brown Adipose Tissue Using 18F-FDG PET/CT
Published on: April 1, 2019
09:21Human Brown Adipose Tissue Depots Automatically Segmented by Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography and Registered Magnetic Resonance Images
Published on: February 18, 2015
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