The Role of Hypothalamic Inflammation in Diet-Induced Obesity and Its Association with Cognitive and Mood Disorders

Abstract

Obesity is often associated with cognitive and mood disorders. Recent evidence suggests that obesity may cause hypothalamic inflammation. Our aim was to investigate the hypothesis that there is a causal link between obesity-induced hypothalamic inflammation and cognitive and mood disorders. Inflammation may influence hypothalamic inter-connections with regions important for cognition and mood, while it may cause dysregulation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and influence monoaminergic systems. Exercise, healthy diet, and glucagon-like peptide receptor agonists, which can reduce hypothalamic inflammation in obese models, could improve the deleterious effects on cognition and mood.

Using quantitative imaging to determine the correlation between hypothalamic inflammation and anxiety and depression in young patients with obesity

“…In this study, the incidence of depression in the obesity group was found to be higher than that in the control group, which is in line with previous studies (7,9,10,27,28). Studies have also found that the effects of obesity and depression work bidirectionally (26)(27)(28)(29) and that individuals who are obese have an 18-40% increased risk of depression (28,29). Obesity had similar odds ratios (ORs) for depression (OR 1.21-5.8) and vice versa (OR: 1.18-3.76) (26).…”

“…Obesity, along with anxiety and depressive disorders, is a major public health problem. These conditions independently affect disability and mortality rates in patients and incur a considerable socioeconomic burden; moreover, the results of several epidemiological studies, clinical trials, and recent meta-analyses support the link between mood disorders and obesity (7,9,10,26). Depression and anxiety are particularly prominent among mood disorders, not only because of their high prevalence but also because of their significant association with obesity (9,27).…”

“…Studies have also found that the effects of obesity and depression work bidirectionally (26)(27)(28)(29) and that individuals who are obese have an 18-40% increased risk of depression (28,29). Obesity had similar odds ratios (ORs) for depression (OR 1.21-5.8) and vice versa (OR: 1.18-3.76) (26). People with depression may gain significant weight due to clinical symptoms and/or medication-induced irregular eating patterns and sedentary lifestyles.…”

The Impact of Obesity on Microglial Function: Immune, Metabolic and Endocrine Perspectives

“…Moreover, JNK inhibition restores insulin signaling in the hypothalamus of obese animals and leads to reduced caloric intake and weight loss [ 262 , 263 ]. Finally, obesity-associated hypothalamic inflammation may also lead to HPA axis dysregulation and consequently stress disorders [ 273 ].…”

A biopsychosocial approach of the expectant mother

“…Dysregulation of the HPA axis could be a potential marker of vulnerability regarding a variety of diseases related to stress as well as neuropsychiatric disorders (121,443). In this respect, higher levels of cortisol could be directly involved in the mood changes observed in depression (111,126,444).…”