Long‐acting glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists have direct access to and effects on pro‐opiomelanocortin/cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐stimulated transcript neurons in the mouse hypothalamus

Liraglutide may reduce hunger and increase feelings of satiety through direct effects in the brain.

• Liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, is approved for both type 2 diabetes and obesity treatment.
• While it was previously thought to significantly reduce gastric emptying, its effect on appetite reduction may be minor.
• Liraglutide activates specific neurons in the brain that are associated with increased satiety.
• It prevents increases in hunger-related neuropeptides despite the absence of GLP-1 receptors on those neurons.
• Medium-sized peptide-based compounds like liraglutide can access key brain regions involved in appetite regulation.

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