Exploiting a chemical serotonin target of the brain to fight obesity

The research presented next week at Physiology 2019 – the annual conference of the Society of Physiology – reveals a way to exploit the target of serotonin, a brain chemical, to fight the epidemic. obesity (and badociated diabetes).
Professor Lora Heisler – renowned chair of human nutrition at the Rowett Institute of Aberdeen University – studies the precise region of the brain that regulates both the appetite and the sugar in the blood. Serotonin targets neurons located in parts of the brain called hypothalamus and posterior brain regions involved in many body functions. It is therefore possible to stimulate the brain to make it believe that food has already been consumed. Activation of these brain cells results in a reduction in appetite and a feeling of increased satiety.

The positive effects of serotonin on the hypothalamus do not stop there. The stimulation of these neurons mimics the results of antidiabetic drugs, reduces glucose production and increases the action of insulin. Activating these receptors in one of our brain's reward centers also reduces the consumption of all types of foods, including sweet foods, thus reducing temptations.

The United States has already exploited this discovery and the drug called lorcaserin has been pretty well pressured as a new diet pill. This medicine could be routed to the UK after a proper regulatory review. Professor Heisler explores the science of how lorcaserine works. His lab's research revealed that it was also a revolutionary new way to treat type 2 diabetes. All other antidiabetic drugs work on peripheral tissues. Lorcaserine, targeting the brain, has shown therapeutic benefits for diabetic patients. This is particularly important because many long-term diabetic patients develop tolerance to their medications. These promising results indicate that lorcaserine could be a new weapon in the arsenal against diabetes.

Obesity is the main global health challenge of this century. It causes alterations of multiple systems throughout the body, predisposing people to serious diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. More than half of the UK population is overweight and 25% is obese. Our sedentary lifestyle means that we now live in an "obesogenic environment". It's easier than ever to gain weight. it's our new normal.

Susan Webb, NHS Grampian Director of Public Health, presenting the Heisler speech on Monday evening, July 8th in Aberdeen:

I am delighted to host the annual conference of the Physiological Society in Aberdeen. The fight against obesity is one of the biggest public health problems in Scotland, with two-thirds of adults being overweight or obese. Many actions are underway to realize our ambition for a Scotland where we eat well, have a healthy weight and are physically active. But there is still a lot to do. Research such as Professor Heisler's is essential to improving our understanding of the potential solutions for making obesity a thing of the past. "