Aug. 28, 2008 A brain chemical that plays a role in long term
memory also appears to be involved in regulating how much people
eat and their likelihood of becoming obese, according to a
National Institutes of Health study of a rare genetic condition.
Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is, as its name
implies, produced in the brain. Studies of laboratory animals
have suggested it also helps control appetite and weight. The
NIH study, appearing in the August 28 New England Journal of
Medicine, provides the first strong evidence that BDNF is
important for body weight in human beings as well. The NIH
researchers studied children and adults with WAGR syndrome, a
rare genetic condition. The researchers found that some of the
people with this syndrome lack a gene for BDNF and have
correspondingly low blood levels of the substance. The people in
this subgroup also have unusually large appetites and a strong
tendency towards obesity. "This is a promising new lead in the
search for biological pathways that contri