Therefore, it would seem important to examine the effects of BDNF/GR crosstalk by testing how mice with the BDNF Val66Met allele compare with mice lacking the BDNF-sensitive GR phosphorylation sites in various regions of the brain to protect or exacerbate anxiety- or diet-induced obesity or both. Here, BDNF is linked to obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.