Hypothalamic microinflammation: A common basis of metabolic syndrome and aging

Yizhe Tang, Sudarshana Purkayastha, Dongsheng Cai

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

80 Scopus citations

Abstract

Chronic microinflammation is a hallmark of many aging-related neurodegenerative diseases as well as metabolic syndrome-driven diseases. Recent research indicates that chronic caloric excess can lead to hypothalamic microinflammation, which in turn participates in the development and progression of metabolic syndrome disorders such as obesity, glucose intolerance, and hypertension. Additionally, it was recently shown that increasing age after young adulthood can cause hypothalamic microinflammation independently of nutritional status, mediating a central mechanism of systemic aging. Taken together, these findings suggest that the hypothalamus has a fundamental role, via hypothalamic microinflammation, in translating overnutrition and aging into complex outcomes. Here we summarize recent work and suggest a conceptual model in which hypothalamic microinflammation is a common mediator of metabolic syndrome and aging.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)36-44
Number of pages9
JournalTrends in Neurosciences
Volume38
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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