New atlas of the hypothalamus will help defeat obesity and diabetes.
Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Metabolic Research in Cologne and the University of Cambridge have presented Hypomap, a detailed spatial map of the human hypothalamus. This cellular atlas allows for precise cell location, analysis of their environment, and identification of specific gene expression. Hypomap is already available to the scientific community and may contribute to the development of new drugs against obesity and diabetes.
The hypothalamus is a central region of the brain that regulates vital functions, including sleep, body temperature, hunger, and thirst. However, due to the complexity of studying the human brain, most of the knowledge about the hypothalamus is based on experiments with mice. It is on this data that modern drugs to combat obesity were developed.
According to one of the study's authors, Lukas Steuernagel, Hypomap will help to better understand the mechanisms of action of drugs such as semaglutide, which are GLP-1 agonists. This, in turn, may help minimize side effects and increase the effectiveness of therapy.
The researchers analyzed 11 human brains, combining their own data with information from the global Human Cell Atlas project. They were able to create a detailed map of the hypothalamus, indicating the exact location of cells and the genes active in each of them. Using Hypomap, the scientists studied neurons and circuits that regulate appetite, and identified cells that respond to new classes of drugs against diabetes and obesity.
A comparison with a map of mouse brain cells revealed both similarities and important differences. For example, some neurons in mice have GLP-1 receptors that are absent in humans. According to Jens Brüning, director of the Max Planck Institute for Metabolic Research, this atlas will allow a more precise study of nerve cells found in both species.
Giles Yeo, one of the lead researchers, noted that Hypomap confirmed the importance of the brain in weight control and helped identify new genes associated with obesity. The atlas is open to the scientific community and will be a valuable resource for drug development and further research.
According to one of the study's authors, John Tadross from the University of Cambridge, the next important step is to study changes in the hypothalamus in people of different weight categories. These data could radically change our understanding of metabolic health and allow for more precise targeting of therapy.
The study is published in the journal Nature.
Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Metabolic Research in Cologne and the University of Cambridge have presented Hypomap, a detailed spatial map of the human hypothalamus. This cellular atlas allows for precise cell location, analysis of their environment, and identification of specific gene expression. Hypomap is already available to the scientific community and may contribute to the development of new drugs against obesity and diabetes.
The hypothalamus is a central region of the brain that regulates vital functions, including sleep, body temperature, hunger, and thirst. However, due to the complexity of studying the human brain, most of the knowledge about the hypothalamus is based on experiments with mice. It is on this data that modern drugs to combat obesity were developed.
According to one of the study's authors, Lukas Steuernagel, Hypomap will help to better understand the mechanisms of action of drugs such as semaglutide, which are GLP-1 agonists. This, in turn, may help minimize side effects and increase the effectiveness of therapy.
The researchers analyzed 11 human brains, combining their own data with information from the global Human Cell Atlas project. They were able to create a detailed map of the hypothalamus, indicating the exact location of cells and the genes active in each of them. Using Hypomap, the scientists studied neurons and circuits that regulate appetite, and identified cells that respond to new classes of drugs against diabetes and obesity.
A comparison with a map of mouse brain cells revealed both similarities and important differences. For example, some neurons in mice have GLP-1 receptors that are absent in humans. According to Jens Brüning, director of the Max Planck Institute for Metabolic Research, this atlas will allow a more precise study of nerve cells found in both species.
Giles Yeo, one of the lead researchers, noted that Hypomap confirmed the importance of the brain in weight control and helped identify new genes associated with obesity. The atlas is open to the scientific community and will be a valuable resource for drug development and further research.
According to one of the study's authors, John Tadross from the University of Cambridge, the next important step is to study changes in the hypothalamus in people of different weight categories. These data could radically change our understanding of metabolic health and allow for more precise targeting of therapy.
The study is published in the journal Nature.
