Identification of novel pathways controlling food intake and energy balance

与肥胖相关的疾病是导致死亡的主要原因，随着肥胖流行病的恶化，预计这种疾病会增加。由于目前可用的抗肥胖药物的有效性和/或安全性问题有限，因此确定新的药物靶点非常重要。在Prader Willi综合征（PWS）等自然发生的模型中研究肥胖和过度食物摄入的原因，有可能为这一过程的复杂调控提供新的思路，并可能为PWS以及普通肥胖患者开辟新的治疗选择。

Obesity-associated diseases are leading causes of death and are expected to increase as the obesity epidemic worsens. Because of the limited efficacy and/or safety concerns of currently available anti-obesity drugs, it is important to identify new drug targets. Investigating the cause of obesity and excessive food intake in natural occurring models like Prader Willi Syndrome (PWS) has the potential to shed new light on the complex regulation of this process and might open up new treatment option for PWS as well as general obese patients.