Adiposity and Neurological Disorders: A Review

Abstract

The rapid increase in the global incidence of obesity presents an ever-expanding set of medical, social, and economic challenges. Obesity is a complex disease, with the emphasis of current research aimed at unravelling its link with a range of health conditions. The chronic inflammatory state created by obesity is frequently postulated as the driving force behind its pathophysiological consequences in a number of health conditions. Specifically, there is expanding evidence linking obesity to the development of a number of central and peripheral nervous system disorders. This review evaluates established and emerging evidence for the link between adiposity and a range of neurological phenomena. Knowledge of the pathological mechanisms of obesity may prove useful in determining the most effective treatments of obesity-induced neurological disorders.