Other functions for leptin?

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Leptin has become well known as a peptide hormone related to regulation of body fat. There is a strong correlation between the amount of adipose tissue and the circulating level of leptin. In this issue of The Journal, Blardi et al evaluated leptin levels in children and adolescents with Rett syndrome, a progressive neurologic disorder with microcephaly psychomotor delay, ataxia, autistic-like behavior and growth failure, that affects females. They found that leptin levels were significantly higher in patients with Rett syndrome than controls and that higher leptin levels were not related to obesity in the Rett syndrome group. This raises the possibility that leptin may be related to factors other than adiposity in the patient population.