All articles tagged with #hypothalamus
Researchers have discovered that metformin, a common diabetes drug, also acts in the brain, specifically in the ventromedial hypothalamus, by turning off the protein Rap1, which is essential for its blood sugar-lowering effects. This finding suggests new avenues for more targeted diabetes treatments and highlights the brain's role in metformin's mechanism of action.
A UC Berkeley study uncovers a neural feedback mechanism controlling growth hormone release during sleep, revealing how sleep quality influences muscle growth, fat burning, and brain function, with potential implications for treating sleep and metabolic disorders.
Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered that specific neurons in the hypothalamus help regulate blood sugar levels during routine activities like fasting, by promoting fat breakdown to maintain glucose and prevent hypoglycemia overnight, which could have implications for understanding prediabetes and diabetes management.
A study from the University of Michigan found that specific hypothalamic neurons, VMHCckbr, actively regulate blood glucose during routine conditions by promoting fat breakdown and glycerol production, which supports glucose stability overnight. Overactivity of these neurons may contribute to prediabetes, highlighting the brain's nuanced role in metabolic health.
Scientists have discovered that the brain, in addition to the pancreas, can produce insulin, with at least six different types of insulin-producing cells identified in the brain. This local insulin may play roles in cognitive function, growth regulation, and appetite suppression, and could be significant in understanding and treating conditions like Alzheimer's disease. However, much remains unknown about the functions and origins of brain insulin, and further research is needed.
Research in male mice identifies a stress-sensitive neural pathway between the paraventricular nucleus and lateral hypothalamus that disrupts sleep and impairs memory, suggesting potential targets for treating stress-related cognitive and sleep issues.
Researchers have discovered a new population of neurons in the hypothalamus that regulate appetite by expressing leptin receptors and the BNC2 gene. These neurons respond to hunger-suppressing signals and food-related cues. Disrupting these neurons in mice led to increased food intake and weight gain, highlighting their role in energy balance. This finding offers a potential new target for obesity treatments, providing hope for more effective therapies against the obesity epidemic.
Researchers at the Champalimaud Foundation have identified a neural circuit in the anterior ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) that regulates sexual rejection in female mammals based on their fertility cycle. Progesterone-sensitive neurons in this brain region become active in non-receptive females, prompting rejection behaviors, while their activity decreases during fertility, allowing mating. This discovery highlights the brain's dual control system for balancing sexual receptivity and rejection, providing insights into the neural mechanisms governing reproductive behavior.
Researchers have discovered that progesterone-responsive neurons in the anterior ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) of female mice toggle between sexual receptivity and rejection based on fertility. These neurons are active during rejection behaviors outside the fertile phase and receive inhibitory signals during fertility, reducing their activity and allowing mating. Using optogenetics, the study confirmed these neurons act as a neural switch for rejection, offering insights into human sexual behavior and related disorders.
Neuroscientists at Washington State University have discovered that cannabis exposure activates a specific group of neurons in the hypothalamus, known as AgRP neurons, which are linked to increased feeding in mice. This real-time study is the first to investigate how cannabis impacts the brain regions that control appetite, shedding light on the mechanisms behind the notorious "munchies" effect. The findings could have implications for future drug research in the treatment of appetite-related disorders.
A new study in mice has found a brain-body connection between fatty tissues and neurons in the hypothalamus, a region that controls basic bodily functions. By manipulating a protein called Ppp1r17 in aged mice, researchers extended their life span by roughly seven percent and improved their overall health, including increased motivation for physical activity. This study adds to the growing body of research on the brain-body connection and its impact on aging, offering potential insights into extending healthy life spans in humans.
Researchers have discovered a crucial brain-fat tissue feedback loop that influences aging and health, with specific neurons in the hypothalamus triggering the release of energy from the body's fat tissue. Mice with a sustained feedback loop displayed delayed aging, increased physical activity, and longer lifespans, offering potential insights for future interventions in aging and longevity. The study suggests that maintaining this feedback loop could slow the effects of advancing age, with implications for developing anti-aging therapies.
Fevers occur when the body's defense system fights off an infection or due to other factors like autoimmune diseases or certain drugs. The hypothalamus in the brain acts as a thermostat, raising the body's temperature in response to fever-inducing chemicals released by immune cells. This increase in temperature helps to inhibit the replication of bacteria or viruses and activates the immune system. The body's first line of defense against infection includes constricting blood vessels and inducing shivering to generate heat. While a fever can be managed with over-the-counter medications and self-care, it's important to seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or if there are concerns, especially in children.
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Otago has found that wheat gluten can induce brain inflammation in mice, specifically in the hypothalamic region of the brain, which plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism. While previous research has shown the effects of gluten on weight gain and inflammation in the digestive system, this study highlights its impact on the brain. The findings raise concerns about potential long-term effects on humans, such as weight gain, blood sugar regulation issues, and impaired memory. However, further research is needed to determine if these findings are applicable to humans and if they have implications for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
A recent study has identified a subset of neurons in the hypothalamus that can detect and respond to changes in blood sugar levels, similar to insulin-secreting pancreatic cells. These neurons receive information from sensory neurons monitoring the bloodstream, rather than slower-changing brain sugar levels. The findings provide crucial insights into the body's blood sugar regulation and could potentially lead to therapeutic targets for metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity. Reversing the sensing defect associated with diabetes may allow the brain to control blood sugar more effectively.