Region-specific diet-induced and leptin-induced cellular leptin resistance includes the ventral tegmental area in rats

► High fat feeding decreases leptin mediated STAT3 signaling in select brain regions. ► Diminished signaling was evident in arcuate nucleus and ventral tegmental area. ► Unchanged signaling in lateral, ventromedial, and dorsomedial hypothalamus. ► Leptin overexpression diminished leptin signaling in all brain regions examined.