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Metformin's Brain Secret Unlocked
30 Nov
Summary
- Metformin impacts blood sugar regulation primarily through the brain.
- A protein called Rap1 in the brain is key to metformin's glucose control.
- This discovery could lead to new treatments for diabetes and neurological disorders.
New research is shedding light on the long-mysterious mechanisms of metformin, a widely prescribed diabetes medication. While conventionally understood to manage blood sugar by affecting the liver and gut, recent studies published in Science Advances pinpoint a crucial role for the brain in its action. Scientists have discovered that metformin influences a specific brain pathway by interacting with a protein known as Rap1, directly impacting glucose regulation.
This finding is significant because it alters our perception of how this decades-old drug operates. The research suggests that metformin's effects on appetite, potential weight loss, and even cognition may be linked to its direct influence within the brain. Understanding this central control mechanism could unlock further therapeutic benefits, potentially extending beyond diabetes.
Experts emphasize the importance of this revelation, as metformin remains the most prescribed diabetes drug globally. The affordability and oral administration of metformin make it accessible. The ongoing research into its brain-centric effects promises to explore novel applications for neurological disorders, depression, and heart disease, offering hope for broader patient populations.
