Arcuate Pirt Neurons: The Missing Link in Leptin’s Control of Energy Expenditure

The increasing prevalence of obesity is a global public health challenge. Obesity develops when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure, resulting in energy imbalance and fat accumulation that harms health. Neurons that sense leptin to increase energy expenditure after a meal, through diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT), are promising targets for obesity intervention. This project aims to (1) investigate the neural activity of arcuate Pirt neurons in DIT and (2) examine the necessity of leptin receptors on these neurons in regulating energy balance. This study will advance our understanding of the neurons driving DIT and inform the design of safe, effective weight-loss therapies.