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Obesity

A pipeline for identification and validation of brain targets for weight loss

Nature Reviews Endocrinology volume 19, pages 190–191 (2023)Cite this article

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The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) is emerging as a key regulator of food intake and energy expenditure but the molecular and functional heterogeneity of DRN neurons is largely unknown. A new study characterizes the role of glutamatergic DRN neurons in the control of food intake and identifies a pharmacological approach to target these neurons in obesity.

Refers to Schneeberger, M. et al. Pharmacological targeting of glutamatergic neurons within the brainstem for weight reduction. Nat Metab. 4, 1495–1513 (2022).

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Fig. 1: A research pipeline for weight loss target identification and validation.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the support of the Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00014/5).

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  1. Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science and Medical Research Council Metabolic Disease Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

    Anthony Tsang & Clemence Blouet

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  1. Anthony Tsang
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  2. Clemence Blouet
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Correspondence to Clemence Blouet.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Tsang, A., Blouet, C. A pipeline for identification and validation of brain targets for weight loss. Nat Rev Endocrinol 19, 190–191 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41574-023-00803-w

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