When your belly is full, your brain tells you to “stop eating.”
But how that signal works is more complex than scientists have understood — and they hope their discovery that it comes from an unexpected source could lead to new treatments for eating disorders and obesity. This research changes how we think about these communication circuits, said a professor of biology at the University of Maryland.
Scientists have long thought that the brain knows it’s time to push the plate away almost entirely because of signaling cells called neurons.
The new study suggests that it’s far more complicated than that, involving other types of cells in the brain. Tanycytes are specialized brain cells that monitor a body-fueling sugar called glucose as it moves through the fluids that cushion the brain and spinal cord.
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After you eat, glucose levels rise. And that release prompts tanycytes to release lactate into nearby brain tissue. Researchers used to think lactate directly signaled neurons involved in appetite control. Among the most common cell types in the brain, astrocytes have long been seen as helper cells for neurons. The new study shows they take on a more direct role.
That’s because astrocytes detect lactate. In turn, that prompts the release of a chemical messenger that signals neurons to suppress appetite. Simply put, this cellular communication is what tells you you’re full.
According to an expert at the Cleveland Clinic, this research was conducted in animal models, and the results of animal studies often differ in humans.
But there’s reason for hope. Because tanycytes and astrocytes exist in all mammals, the same mechanism could be at work in people, researchers say.
Next step: Investigating whether altering the receptor that allows astrocytes to detect lactate influences eating behavior. No existing drugs directly target this pathway.
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Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment.