Researchers at the University of Washington have made a groundbreaking discovery about the role of brain cells in type 2 diabetes. A study published today reveals that a specific set of brain cells, called AgRP neurons in the hypothalamus, play a key role in hyperactivity that contributes to the development of the disease.
When these neurons were silenced in diabetic mice, blood sugar levels normalized for months without any changes in weight or food intake. This challenges the long-held belief that obesity and insulin resistance are the sole drivers of diabetes.
The study suggests that targeting brain circuits could become a powerful new approach to treating the disease. The researchers used a viral genetics approach to make AgRP neurons express tetanus toxin, which prevents them from communicating with other neurons. The result was normalization of high blood sugar levels for months.
According to Dr. Michael Schwartz, corresponding author of the paper, “These neurons are playing an outsized role in hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes.” The study’s findings align with previous research showing that injection of a peptide called FGF1 directly into the brain can cause diabetes remission in mice.
However, targeting these neurons may not reverse obesity. Instead, it causes diabetes to go into remission without any changes in weight or food intake. Further research is needed to understand how to regulate activity in these neurons and develop a therapeutic approach.
The study’s findings could represent a shift in how clinicians understand and treat this chronic disease. With the discovery of Ozempic and other new drugs that inhibit AgRP neurons, further research may help scientists better understand the role of brain cells in controlling blood sugar levels and ultimately translate these findings into human clinical trials.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/agrp-diabetes-brain-28940