Update on Hypothalamic Inflammation and Gliosis: Expanding Evidence of Relevance Beyond Obesity

Abstract

Purpose of review: To evaluate the role of hypothalamic inflammation and gliosis in human obesity pathogenesis and other disease processes influenced by obesity.

Recent findings: Recent studies using established and novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to assess alterations in hypothalamic microarchitecture in humans support the presence of hypothalamic inflammation and gliosis in adults and children with obesity. Studies also identify prenatal exposure to maternal obesity or diabetes as a risk factor for hypothalamic inflammation and gliosis and increased obesity risk in offspring. Hypothalamic inflammation and gliosis have been further implicated in reproductive dysfunction (specifically polycystic ovarian syndrome and male hypogonadism), cardiovascular disease namely hypertension, and alterations in the gut microbiome, and may also accelerate neurocognitive aging. The most recent translational studies support the link between hypothalamic inflammation and gliosis and obesity pathogenesis in humans and expand our understanding of its influence on broader aspects of human health.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Hypothalamic gliosis; Hypothalamic inflammation; Neurocognitive aging; Obesity; Prenatal exposures.