Skip to main content

Leptin Receptor Sensitivity

Meaning

Leptin Receptor Sensitivity is the measure of how effectively target cells, primarily in the hypothalamus, respond to the circulating levels of the adipokine leptin. Leptin is a key chronic energy signal, and optimal sensitivity is critical for the appropriate central interpretation of long-term energy sufficiency, leading to appetite suppression and maintenance of metabolic rate. Diminished sensitivity, often termed leptin resistance, is a significant feature of metabolic dysfunction and obesity, as the brain fails to register high energy stores, leading to unmitigated hunger and reduced energy expenditure.