The Effects of Weight Loss on Neuroadrenergic Function

The twin epidemics of obesity and diabetes represent a major public health problem worldwide. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that autonomic dysfunction, comprising elevated sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity and blunted sympathetic neural responsiveness plays a role in both the pathogenesis and target organ complications of obesity and diabetes. The proposed project will undertake a detailed comparative analysis of neuroadrenergic function along the diabetes continuum, its inter-relationship with insulin sensitivity and secretion, and target organ function, and the benefits of active weight loss and weight loss maintenance within different strata of metabolic risk.