Brain cells controlling GLP-1 in the brainstem reduce eating during stress and prevent very large meals

Selective ablation of PPG neurons in the brain significantly reduced active GLP-1 concentrations but did not affect daily food intake or body weight in mice.

• GLP-1-producing neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii are the main source of GLP-1 in the brain.
• Loss of central GLP-1 did not impact daily chow intake or glucose tolerance under normal conditions.
• PPG neuron ablation led to increased food intake after prolonged fasting and following a liquid diet preload.
• Inhibition of PPG neurons did not affect normal feeding but increased intake during refeeding after fasting.
• Activation of PPG neurons caused a strong reduction in food intake, suggesting their role in a secondary satiation circuit.

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