Revolutionary Discovery: Brain Cell Switch Could Counteract Obesity Effects
French researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about star-shaped brain cells, known as astrocytes, that could revolutionize obesity treatment. This study, published in Nature Communications, unveils how high-fat diets reshape these cells in the striatum, the brain region controlling eating pleasure.
The research team discovered that manipulating these astrocytes in mice not only impacts metabolism but can also restore cognitive abilities impaired by obesity, such as relearning tasks. They utilized a chemogenetic technique with a virus to express proteins that modulate calcium flow, akin to a switch, allowing scientists to study how these cells affect surrounding neurons.
“These discoveries reinforce the idea that astrocytes play a key role in brain function,” the researchers noted. The breakthrough demonstrates astrocytes’ ability to restore cognitive function in obesity contexts, opening new research avenues for understanding their exact role in energy metabolism.
This finding represents a significant shift from traditional neuron-focused obesity research. It highlights astrocytes as powerful players in brain function and energy control with untapped therapeutic potential for targeted obesity treatments.
Source: ScienceDaily