The AdipoCode: an information-fidelity framework for adipose-brain communication.

Adipose tissue does more than store energy and release hormones: distinct depots continuously communicate metabolic state to the brain. Existing signal-centered models do not fully explain leptin resistance, weight regain, or metabolic heterogeneity among individuals with similar adiposity. We propose the AdipoCode, a framework in which adipose depots convey their state through combined hormonal, metabolic, inflammatory, extracellular vesicle, and neural signals. We hypothesize that dysfunction can arise through inaccurate peripheral representation (encoding), altered signal delivery (transmission), inappropriate central responses (decoding), or maladaptive brain-to-adipose feedback. The AdipoCode is intended as a testable framework rather than an established biological code, and it suggests that durable therapy may require restoring communication across multiple stages rather than replacing a single signal.