The Physiology of Neurogenic Obesity: Lessons from Spinal Cord Injury Research

Obes Facts, 2023 · DOI: 10.1159/000530888 · Published: May 22, 2023

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries disrupt communication pathways in the nervous system, leading to metabolic changes and obesity. These changes include increased body fat and decreased muscle mass. Obesity is common after spinal cord injury and is linked to changes in fat metabolism. The disruption of the sympathetic nervous system plays a key role. Studying obesity in spinal cord injury patients offers unique insights into how the nervous system controls body weight and metabolism, potentially benefiting obesity research in general.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review Article

Key Findings

1
Spinal cord injury (SCI) incites persistent metabolic derangements that have wide-ranging effects on most body systems.
2
SCI results in changes in the structure and function of multiple body systems involved in obesity.
3
Neurological decentralization resulting from SCI impairs the central and peripheral nervous systems, affecting somatic and autonomic bidirectional signals and multiple body systems.

Research Summary

Spinal cord injury (SCI) impairs sensorimotor pathways in somatic and autonomic divisions of the nervous system, affecting multiple body systems. Obesity is the most common cardiometabolic component risk in people living with SCI, with a diagnostic body mass index cutoff of 22 kg/m2 to account for a phenotype of high adiposity and low lean mass. The study of neurogenic obesity after SCI gives us a unique neurological perspective on the physiology of obesity. The lessons learned from this ﬁeld can guide future research and advancements to inform the study of obesity in persons with and without SCI.

Practical Implications

Targeted Therapies

Understanding the specific metabolic changes post-SCI can lead to targeted therapies to combat neurogenic obesity.

General Obesity Insights

Studying neurogenic obesity can reveal fundamental mechanisms of obesity applicable to the general population.

Novel Intervention Strategies

Constraints in treating neurogenic obesity may require novel strategies that could inform interventions for obesity writ large.

Study Limitations

1
Disparate assessments of obesity prevalence in SCI patients.
2
Anatomical and physiological differences between preclinical and clinical research
3
Limited understanding of the direct mechanisms linking pathological hemodynamics and obesity.

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