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Neuroendocrine networks were previously perceived mainly as transcriptionally controlled, neural regulatory pathways that are centred at the hypothalamus. However, multisystemic circuits encompassing the brain and peripheral tissues have now been uncovered that involve nonneuronal cells and nontranscriptional regulatory mechanisms, with previously unidentified functions, such as reward and behaviour. Several developments in 2016 have helped to consolidate these new advances.
Thyroid cancer overdiagnosis is a worldwide phenomenon. Nowhere else in the world is the incidence of thyroid cancer growing faster than in South Korea, but what are the drivers, consequences and response to this threat — in short, who benefits from thyroid cancer diagnosis?
Arterial hypertension is a complex condition influenced by multiple interrelated genetic and environmental factors. This Review examines our progress in unravelling the genetic determinants of hypertension, and the future use of genetic testing to personalize treatment and to improve the design of randomized controlled trials for the condition.
Adipose tissues have a central role in energy homeostasis, as they secrete adipokines and regulate energy storage and dissipation. Novel adipokines from white, brown and beige adipocytes have been identified in 2016. Identifying the specific receptors for each adipokine is pivotal for developing greater insights into the fat-derived signalling pathways that regulate energy homeostasis.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major global health challenge. Development of more effective strategies for prevention and therapy depends on an improved understanding of its pathogenetic mechanisms. 2016 ends a period during which large-scale discovery of risk alleles for T2DM became routine and heralds a shift in research focus towards their exploitation to fuel mechanistic insights.
Although regular physical activity can prevent or reduce the risk of many age-related diseases, the molecular mechanisms underpinning the protective effects of exercise are largely unknown. In 2016, a series of studies demonstrated that crosstalk between tissues during exercise can protect against metabolic disease, cancer, retinal degeneration and memory loss. These studies provide a molecular basis for the concept of 'exercise as medicine'.
