""People tend to immediately think of neurons when they think about how the brain works. But we're finding that astrocytes, what we used to think of as just secondary support cells, are also participating in how our brains regulate how much we eat.""
""The findings could eventually help scientists develop new treatments for conditions such as obesity and eating disorders, changing how we think about these communication circuits.""
New research indicates that astrocytes, previously thought to be mere support cells, actively participate in appetite regulation. A study reveals a novel signaling pathway in the hypothalamus, which controls hunger and fullness. Researchers found that tanycytes monitor glucose levels and release lactate, which interacts with astrocytes. This discovery could lead to new treatments for obesity and eating disorders, altering the understanding of brain communication circuits related to eating behavior.
Read at ScienceDaily
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