BDNF and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency: BDNF has also been identified as a key component of pathways that controls body weight and energy homeostasis [12], [13], as was first suggested by the observation that intracerebroventricular infusion of BDNF in mice with genetic obesity due to a leptin receptor mutation results in reduced food intake, body weight, and blood glucose levels [14].