Brain neurons that control the effects of ozempic have been located

A study from the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) has identified a specific group of nerve cells in the brain that control the beneficial effects of semaglutide, ozempic and wegovy, drugs widely used to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes. The research, published in the journal ' Cell Metabolism ', opens the door to the development of more precise treatments that preserve the benefits of the drug without its side effects.

Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, has been shown to be effective in reducing appetite and body weight, but it can also cause nausea and muscle loss. To understand how it works in the brain, researchers worked with mice, selectively activating neurons stimulated by the drug without administering it directly.

Mice with specific neurons activated ate less and lost weight, replicating the drug's positive effects. When the researchers removed those neurons, the benefits disappeared, but the side effects persisted. This indicates that these nerve cells control the desired effects of semaglutide, not responsible for the adverse reactions.

"If we can target the treatment to that area of ​​the brain, we can maintain the positive effects while reducing the side effects," explains Júlia Teixidor-Deulofeu, first author of the study.

The neurons in question are located in the dorsal vagal complex of the brainstem, a key region in regulating energy balance. This location provides new insights into how drugs like semaglutide interact with the brain and could have broader implications, including the treatment of neurological disorders and addictions.

Linda Engström Ruud, principal investigator and project supervisor, emphasizes the importance of understanding in detail how these drugs work: "The better we understand their mechanisms, the greater our chances of optimizing them and reducing their unwanted effects."