A new study has discovered a potential brain "weight switch" that could help people regulate their weight without the need for traditional weight-loss diets. The study, which was conducted on obese mice, found that inhibiting certain neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) of the brain led to weight gain, while activating these neurons led to weight loss. The researchers focused on a specific type of neuron called GABRA5, which plays a role in regulating fat storage in the body. They found that slowing down the activity of GABRA5 neurons led to weight gain, while activating these neurons led to weight loss.
The researchers also investigated the role of another type of brain cell called astrocytes, which can inhibit the activity of GABRA5 neurons through the release of an enzyme called monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). They discovered that inhibiting MAO-B led to weight loss in the mice, suggesting that targeting this enzyme could be a potential treatment for obesity in humans.
Interestingly, a drug known as KDS2010, which selectively inhibits MAO-B, is already undergoing Phase 1 clinical trials. The researchers gave this drug to the obese mice and found that they were able to lose weight without reducing their food intake or cutting out fats. These findings suggest that targeting the GABRA5-MAO-B pathway could be a promising approach for developing therapies to combat obesity.
Overall, this study provides new insights into the regulation of body weight and offers potential avenues for developing weight-loss treatments that do not rely on dietary restrictions or hunger pangs. However, further research is needed to determine whether similar effects can be observed in humans, and to establish the safety and effectiveness of targeting the GABRA5-MAO-B pathway as a treatment for obesity.