Central neural regulation of brown adipose tissue thermogenesis and energy expenditure

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

331 Scopus citations

Abstract

Thermogenesis, the production of heat energy, is the specific, neurally regulated, metabolic function of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and contributes to the maintenance of body temperature during cold exposure and to the elevated core temperature during several behavioral states, including wakefulness, the acute phase response (fever), and stress. BAT energy expenditure requires metabolic fuel availability and contributes to energy balance. This review summarizes the functional organization and neurochemical influences within the CNS networks governing the level of BAT sympathetic nerve activity to produce the thermoregulatory and metabolically driven alterations in BAT thermogenesis and energy expenditure that contribute to overall energy homeostasis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)741-756
Number of pages16
JournalCell Metabolism
Volume19
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 6 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Central neural regulation of brown adipose tissue thermogenesis and energy expenditure'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this