Explore the intriguing relationship between body fat and health in this 57-minute lecture by Dr. Paul Cohen from The Rockefeller University. Delve into the world of brown adipose tissue and its potential role in maintaining body temperature, regulating blood sugar, and influencing overall health. Discover how this specialized fat may offer new insights into obesity treatment and prevention. Learn about the latest research on brown fat's physiological effects, its presence in adult humans, and its association with cardiometabolic health. Examine the potential for developing brown fat-activating therapies and the challenges involved. Gain a deeper understanding of the complex biology underlying body weight and health, and consider how this knowledge might shape future approaches to combating obesity and its related health issues.
Overview
Syllabus
THE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY
Obesity Threatens Public Health
Clinical Case
Obesity Is Defined by Excess Fat (Adipose Tissue)
Why Do We Need Adipose Tissue?
White Adipocytes (Fat Cells)
Is Fat the Problem or Could It Be Part of the Solution?
Metabolic Futile Cycle Generates Heat
Brown Fat Protects Newborns from Hypothermia
Inducible Brown Fat Can Help Adult Animals Survive in the Cold
PRDM16 Controls Brown Fat Development
3D View of Thermogenic Fat
Physiological Effects of Thermogenic Fat
Targeting Thermogenic Fat to Treat Obesity and Comorbid Diseases
Conventional Notions Suggest This Will Not Work
Cold-Inducible Brown Fat in Adult Humans
What Role Does Brown Fat Play in Human Health and Disease?
Variables Associated with Brown Fat
Brown Fat and Cardiometabolic Health
Brown Fat Protects Against Sequelae of Obesity
What Explains the Benefits Associated with Brown Fat?
The Possibility of Brown Fat Activating Therapies
A Cautionary Tale
Current Therapeutic Targets
What Determines Brown Fat Activity ?
Can We Identify Genetic Variants That Control Brown Fat?
Summary
Taught by
The Rockefeller University
