Overeating Could Be Due To Lack Of Brain Chemical Caused By Faulty Gene

Using genetically altered mice, scientists in the US have shown that lack of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), in certain parts of the brain, leads to overreating and may be a contributing factor to the rising obesity epidemic. The researchers said the study is relevant to humans because, for instance, a quarter of Americans are estimated to carry the mutated form of the BDNF gene.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC), nearly one third of American adults are obese and another third are overweight. This is caused by an imbalance between the calories consumed and the calories needed by the body, with the excess unused calories deposited as body fat. This part of the problem is obvious and well studied.

Unger, Rios and colleagues showed that glucose increased BDNF expression directly in the brain, and not via peripheral pathways.