Our laboratory is interested in unraveling the molecular mechanisms utilized by brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to regulate food intake, metabolic function and affective behavior using molecular, biochemical, and genetic tools. We generated different lines of conditional mutant mice with tissue-specific depletion of BDNF using the cre recombinase-loxP system. One of these lines of mutants has BDNF depletion in the postnatal brain that results in dramatic mature-onset obesity and increased aggressive and anxiety-related behavior. Through examination of their gene expression profiles and specific signaling pathways, we will ascertain how BDNF is mechanistically involved in appetite and emotionality control. Mutants without hepatic or pancreatic islet BDNF will be used to distinguish central versus local action of BDNF impacting body weight regulation. Together, these studies will cast light on how BDNF might be involved in obesity and psychiatric disorders.