Pathobiology 2027

The global rise in obesity has underscored the urgent need for a deeper understanding of the neural mechanisms that govern energy balance and body weight regulation. The brain acts as a central integrator that continuously monitors nutritional status, hormonal cues, and environmental inputs to coordinate feeding behavior, energy expenditure, and glucose homeostasis. Recent therapeutics targeting central receptors like MC4R (Setmelanotide) or GLP1R (semaglutide and tirzepatide) have demonstrated great efficacy and have further established neuronal pathways as valid targets to promote significant and sustained weight loss. This session will explore emerging neuronal pathways that control feeding behavior and discuss new central proteins and receptors that could be targeted by the next generation of obesity treatments.