Sebastien Bouret received a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Lille (France) in 2001. He subsequently joined the laboratory of Dr. Richard Simerly in the Department of Neuroscience at the Oregon Health and Science University where he did his postdoctoral work. He is currently a Research Director at the French National Institute of Health (Inserm) in Lille, France. Dr. Bouret has a broad background in the field of metabolic programming and the neurobiology of obesity (key papers: Bouret et al., Science, 2004; Coupe et al., Cell Metabolism, 2012; Steculorum et al., JCI, 2015; van der Klaauw et al., Cell, 2019). He has published more than 90 articles, reviews, and book chapters in the field of developmental programming. Dr. Bouret’s research has directly led to several breakthroughs in the understanding of the complex hormonal signals and neurodevelopmental substrates responsible for appetite regulation. Dr. Bouret has served on numerous journal editorial boards (including Journal of Neuroendocrinology, Endocrinology, Molecular Metabolism, Metabolism, JCI Insight), organizing committees, grant review panels (National Institute of Health and Federation Recherche sur le Cerveau), and scientific councils (Foundation for Prader-Willi Research, French Society for Neuroendocrinology, French Society for Neuroscience), and has been invited to lecture internationally.

 

 

Abstract

Neurodevelopmental origins of obesity and diabetes

The growing prevalence of obesity and type II diabetes is an important health concern, including among children and pregnant women. Epidemiological and pre-clinical studies suggested that alterations of the metabolic and hormonal environments during critical periods of development are associated with increased risks for obesity and type 2 diabetes in later life. There is growing appreciation that the developmental programming of hypothalamic neuroendocrine systems by the perinatal environment represents a possible cause for these diseases. This lecture will present an overview of evidence concerning the action of hormones and maternal nutrition in programming the development and organization of hypothalamic melanocortin circuits. Recent data on the impact of maternal nutrition and low-calorie sweeteners consumption in the development and organization of hypothalamic circuits that regulate feeding and glucose homeostasis will also be presented.