Interactions between the brain and distinct adipose depots have a key role in maintaining energy balance, thereby promoting survival in response to metabolic challenges such as cold exposure and starvation. Recently, there has been renewed interest in the specific central neuronal circuits that regulate adipose depots. Here, we review anatomical, genetic and pharmacological studies on the neural regulation of adipose function, including lipolysis, non-shivering thermogenesis, browning and leptin secretion. In particular, we emphasize the role of leptin-sensitive neurons and the sympathetic nervous system in modulating the activity of brown, white and beige adipose tissues. We provide an overview of advances in the understanding of the heterogeneity of the brain regulation of adipose tissues and offer a perspective on the challenges and paradoxes that the community is facing regarding the actions of leptin on this system.

大脑和不同脂肪库之间的相互作用在维持能量平衡方面发挥着关键作用，从而促进应对寒冷和饥饿等代谢挑战的生存。最近，人们对调节脂肪库的特定中枢神经回路重新产生了兴趣。在这里，我们回顾了脂肪功能神经调节的解剖学、遗传学和药理学研究，包括脂肪分解、非颤抖产热、褐变和瘦素分泌。我们特别强调瘦素敏感神经元和交感神经系统在调节棕色、白色和米色脂肪组织活动中的作用。我们概述了对脂肪组织大脑调节异质性的理解进展，并就瘦素对该系统的作用所面临的挑战和悖论提供了观点。