Obesity is an epidemic problem not limited to Western society, but also in emerging industrial nations with large populations, especially in Asia. The connection between the gut and the brain is probably one of the most promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome. This book brings together reviews on the current understanding of how the gut and brain communicate in the regulation of metabolism. Individual chapters explore novel aspects of this interaction. A comprehensive update on the roles of smell and taste, the gut microbiome, and novel gut-derived neuropeptides in regulating metabolism via the brain is offered. Furthermore, the regulation of insulin sensitivity in the brain is discussed in detail. This overview of current findings is meant to spark new ideas and/or approaches, thus leading to much-needed new medical treatments. Physicians involved in the treatment of metabolic disease and scientists performing research in the fields of nutrition and obesity will find this book to be a valuable addition to their bookshelves.

Series edited by: Federica Guaraldi, Giovanni Corona