British journal of pharmacologyJul 29, 2021

Brain GLP-1's role in controlling food intake and its importance for obesity treatments using GLP-1 receptor drugs

GLP-1 Therapies Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Mar 28, 2026

Abstract

This review examines the regulatory roles of gut-derived and neuronally produced glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) in physiological systems.

Peripheral and central sources of GLP-1 may represent separate or interconnected systems.
The structure of the brain GLP-1 system could vary, consisting of distinct sections or acting as a unified system.
Understanding these relationships may inform the effectiveness of GLP-1 receptor agonists in anti-obesity treatments.

Simplified

This review considers the similarities and differences between the physiological systems regulated by gut-derived and neuronally produced glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). It addresses the questions of whether peripheral and central GLP-1 sources constitute separate, linked or redundant systems and whether the brain GLP-1 system consists of disparate sections or is a homogenous entity. This review also explores the implications of the answers to these questions for the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists as anti-obesity drugs. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on GLP1 receptor ligands (BJP 75th Anniversary). To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.4/issuetoc.

Full Text

We can’t show the full text here under this license.

View Full Text ↗

Funding

Competing interests

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

PubMed

Brain GLP-1's role in controlling food intake and its importance for obesity treatments using GLP-1 receptor drugs

Abstract

Full Text

Funding

Competing interests

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

What Lands in Your Inbox Each Week:

Recent issues from the glp-1 therapies brief