Handbook of experimental pharmacologyJul 10, 2026

TAAR1 as a possible new target instead of GLP-1 for diabetes and obesity drugs

GLP-1 Therapies Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Jul 14, 2026

Abstract

Over 30% of the global population is affected by metabolic syndrome, which is associated with insulin resistance, obesity, and dyslipidaemia.

Metabolic syndrome significantly increases the risk of developing chronic disorders such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Current antihyperglycaemic treatments often lose effectiveness over time due to the progression of the disease.
Activation of trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) has been shown to enhance glucose-stimulated insulin secretion.
TAAR1 activation may also influence dopamine pathways related to addiction and reward processes.
There is notable mechanistic overlap between TAAR1 activation and incretin mimetic therapies like semaglutide, which may offer a more favorable metabolic safety profile.

Simplified

Metabolic syndrome affects over 30% of the global population and is characterised by insulin resistance, obesity and dyslipidaemia, all of which significantly increase the development of chronic metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Over time, existing antihyperglycaemic treatments typically become ineffective due to changes in disease progression, highlighting the importance for the continued development of new therapeutic agents which exert their effects through diverse/ novel mechanisms.This chapter reviews the emerging role of trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) as a regulator of metabolic function. Whilst research into TAAR1 agonism has predominantly focused within the central nervous system for application in schizophrenia treatments, emerging preclinical and clinical evidence demonstrates that TAAR1 activation enhances glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and regulates dopaminergic pathways in addiction and reward processes. Comparisons with incretin mimetic therapies, including semaglutide - a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist - reveal significant mechanistic overlap, alongside potential advantages including a more favourable metabolic safety profile. Collectively these findings position TAAR1 as a promising target with the potential to address both physiological and neurobehavioural aspects of metabolic disease.

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TAAR1 as a possible new target instead of GLP-1 for diabetes and obesity drugs

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