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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

A Plate-Based Assay for the Measurement of Endogenous Monoamine Release in Acute Brain Slices

A Plate-Based Assay for the Measurement of Endogenous Monoamine Release in Acute Brain Slices

Published on: August 11, 2021

Brain Serotonin Transporter Is Elevated in Obesity: Bayesian and Frequentist Meta-Analyses.

Kyoungjune Pak^1,2

¹Department of Nuclear Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea.

Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism

|May 22, 2026

Summary

Obesity may be linked to higher brain serotonin transporter (SERT) availability, but findings are inconclusive. Further research is needed to confirm the role of SERT in obesity neurobiology.

Keywords:

PET neuroimaging obesity serotonin transporter

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Last Updated: May 23, 2026

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Influence of Emotional Factors on the Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment for Overweight Complicated with Hyperlipidemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

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Published on: November 21, 2025

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Metabolic Disorders
Pharmacology

Background:

The brain regulates energy balance, with serotonin transporter (SERT) roles in obesity under-researched compared to dopamine.
Overweight and obesity are significant global health concerns with complex neurobiological underpinnings.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between brain serotonin transporter (SERT) availability and obesity.
To synthesize evidence using frequentist and Bayesian meta-analyses.

Main Methods:

Systematic search of PET and SPECT studies comparing brain SERT availability in obese versus non-obese individuals.
Inclusion of five studies with 142 obese and 115 non-obese participants.
Application of frequentist and Bayesian meta-analysis and meta-regression.

Main Results:

Frequentist meta-analysis indicated higher brain SERT availability in obese individuals (SMD=0.2675, p=0.0437).
Bayesian modeling revealed no substantial differences, with credible intervals crossing zero.
Meta-regression did not identify significant moderators like radiopharmaceuticals or BMI.

Conclusions:

A modest elevation in brain SERT availability in obesity is suggested by frequentist analysis but not conclusively supported by Bayesian modeling.
Mixed results highlight the need for larger, high-powered studies to clarify SERT's role in obesity neurobiology.
Altered SERT dynamics may play a role in the neurobiology of obesity, warranting further investigation.