Of interest is that many of the currently identified obesity susceptibility loci locate near genes that are highly expressed in the brain especially hypothalamus, favoring a role for the nervous system in body weight control. Latest reports have shown the association between obesity and CNS disorders, such as cognitive defects. Central and peripheral neuropeptides regulate appetite and energy expenditure and may play an important role in the development of obesity. Recent studies also suggest that obesity may be associated with a fault in the circadian system. Adipose tissue is capable to produce protein with autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine activity. Adipokines such as adiponectin, visfatin, and resistin are involved in the physiology of obesity and those genes show circadian rhythmicity. Furthermore, obesity-specific gene expression profiling in various peripheral tissues may help in understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of obesity and its associated metabolic diseases.
