- Over the last few years, the number of people taking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists for weight loss has increased significantly.
- While only certain GLP-1 medications are FDA-approved to treat obesity, others are being used off-label for their weight loss benefits.
- A common side effect of taking GLP-1 medications is nausea.
- Researchers from Monell Chemical Senses Center have identified a specific population of neurons in the brain that could be key for appetite suppression with GLP-1 drugs without nausea.
Over the last few years, the number of people taking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists — medications traditionally used to treat type 2 diabetes — for weight loss has greatly increased.
A recent poll found that 12% of Americans — about 1 in 8 adults — have taken a GLP-1 medication.
While only certain GLP-1 medications are FDA-approved to treat obesity, others are being used off-label for their weight loss benefits.
A common
The study was recently published in the journal
For this study, researchers used a mouse model to look for a neurological connection between GLP-1 medications and the side effect of nausea.
“The majority of people who take these drugs experience nausea at some point — some have it more severe than others,” Amber L. Alhadeff, PhD, assistant member at Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA, adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania and senior author of this study explained to Medical News Today.
“But because it is the most prevalent side effect of GLP-1 medications, we were really interested in understanding whether the appetite suppression and weight loss stem from the same or different…
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