Monell Scientists Locate Region of Brain Activated by GLP1 drugs That Can Reduce Food Intake Without Nausea

Because we found that GLP1 drugs can activate a neuron population in the brain to reduce food intake without nausea, the implication is that future obesity drugs could be developed to selectively promote satiety without the negative side effects.

WeightControl.com:   What are the main findings?

Response: GLP1 drugs bind to the GLP1 receptor (GLP1R), which is expressed throughout the body and brain. In our recent publication, we discovered that a population of neurons in the hindbrain – the back of the brain – is the main target that mediates the appetite suppression and weight loss effects of the drugs. Within the hindbrain, there are two further sub-populations of GLP1R neurons, and we found that one of these causes nausea, but the other causes satiety without nausea.

What this means is that there is a neuron population in the brain that is activated by GLP1 drugs and can reduce food intake without making individuals feel sick.

WeightControl.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Because we found that GLP1 drugs can activate a neuron population in the brain to reduce food intake without nausea, the implication is that future obesity drugs could be developed to selectively promote satiety without the negative side effects.

WeightControl.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?

Response: Future research should figure out how to make GLP1 drugs that are more selective with fewer side effects. This may help people tolerate the drugs better, and prevent some people from stopping the medications due to these adverse effects. We hope that these findings are the first steps toward creating more targeted drugs.

We have no disclosures.

Citation:

Huang, KP., Acosta, A.A., Ghidewon, M.Y. et al. Dissociable hindbrain GLP1R circuits for satiety and aversion. Nature (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07685-6

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Last Updated on July 30, 2024 by weightcontrol