Natural Hormone FGF21 Rewires the Brain to Fight Obesity
Researchers found that the hormone FGF21 acts in the hindbrain (nucleus of the solitary tract and area postrema) to regulate metabolism and reduce body weight, signaling a shared yet distinct pathway from GLP-1 drugs. The work, published in Cell Reports, suggests a specific brain circuit could be targeted for obesity and MASH therapies, though current FGF21 analogs can cause GI issues and bone loss, prompting hopes for safer, more precise treatments.
