The Hypothalamic Preoptic Area and Body Weight Control

Abstract

The preoptic area (POA) of the hypothalamus is involved in many physiological and behavioral processes thanks to its interconnections to many brain areas and ability to respond to diverse humoral factors. One main function of the POA is to manage body temperature homeostasis, e.g. in response to ambient temperature change, which is achieved in part by controlling brown adipose tissue thermogenesis. The POA is also importantly involved in modulating food intake in response to temperature change, thus making it relevant for body weight homeostasis and obesity research. POA function in body weight control is highly unexplored, and a better understanding of POA circuits and their integration into classic hypothalamic circuits that regulate energy homeostasis is expected to provide new opportunities for the scientific basis and treatment of obesity and comorbidities.