Neuroendocrinology. 2018;106(2):187-194. doi: 10.1159/000479875. Epub 2017 Aug 10.
The preoptic area (POA) of the hypothalamus is involved in many physiological and behavioral processes thanks to its interconnections to many brain areas and ability to respond to diverse humoral factors. One main function of the POA is to manage body temperature homeostasis, e.g. in response to ambient temperature change, which is achieved in part by controlling brown adipose tissue thermogenesis. The POA is also importantly involved in modulating food intake in response to temperature change, thus making it relevant for body weight homeostasis and obesity research. POA function in body weight control is highly unexplored, and a better understanding of POA circuits and their integration into classic hypothalamic circuits that regulate energy homeostasis is expected to provide new opportunities for the scientific basis and treatment of obesity and comorbidities.
下丘脑的视前区（POA）通过与许多脑区的连接以及对多种体液因素的反应，参与许多生理和行为过程。POA 的主要功能之一是管理体温平衡，例如响应环境温度变化，这部分是通过控制棕色脂肪组织产热来实现的。POA 还在响应温度变化调节食物摄入方面发挥着重要作用，因此与体重平衡和肥胖研究相关。POA 在体重控制中的功能还未被充分探索，对 POA 回路及其与调节能量平衡的经典下丘脑回路的整合的更好理解，有望为肥胖及其合并症的科学基础和治疗提供新的机会。
