New discovery may improve weight-loss drugs
A team from the University of Gothenburg has found a group of brain cells—called Adcyap1+ neurons—that could potentially mimic the effects of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy without the usual side effect of nausea. Their findings just dropped in Cell Metabolism.
How the researchers conducted the study
When researchers activated these neurons in mice, the animals lost weight even without taking semaglutide. But if they switched off these cells, the drug's benefits faded while side effects stuck around. Basically, these neurons seem to control both appetite and how well the drug works.
Implications of the study
Targeting these specific brain cells might lead to safer and more effective weight-loss meds—less nausea, more results. With drugs like semaglutide becoming common for obesity and diabetes, understanding how they work could open doors for treating other conditions too.