Tag Archive for 'Vagus nerve'

Borgmann et al. employed intersectional genetic manipulations to probe the feeding and glucoregulatory function of distinct sensory neurons; they reconstructed the gut innervation patterns of numerous molecularly defined vagal and spinal afferents and identified their downstream brain targets; bidirectional chemogenetic manipulations, coupled with behavioral and circuit mapping analysis, demonstrated that gut-innervating, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP1R)-expressing vagal afferents relay anorexigenic signals to parabrachial nucleus neurons that control meal termination; moreover, GLP1R vagal afferent activation improved glucose tolerance, and their inhibition elevated blood glucose levels independent of food intake; in contrast, gut-innervating, GPR65-expressing vagal afferent stimulation increased hepatic glucose production and activated parabrachial neurons that control normoglycemia, but they were dispensable for feeding regulation. Image credit: Borgmann et al., doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.05.002.

Gut-Innervating Neurons Can Sense What We Eat, Study Suggests

Jun 7, 2021 by News Staff

In a new study published in the journal Cell Metabolism, researchers took a closer look at the functions of different sensory neurons in the control center...

Davis et al identified a surprising new role for a stomach-derived hormone called ghrelin. Image credit: Mariana Ruiz Villarreal.

Hormone Ghrelin Enhances Episodic Memory in Rats: Study

Jul 15, 2019 by News Staff

Ghrelin, a hormone synthesized by endocrine cells of the stomach, is known as the ‘hunger hormone’ given its role in increasing appetite, meal initiation...

Site of application of vibrotactile device to the cymba concha of the ear. Left: major anatomical landmarks of the external ear (pinna) with approximate outline of the cymba concha; the cymba concha is a highly-conserved anatomical feature of the external ear that was identified by the device operator. Right: representative device placement of the vibrotactile device in contact with the cymba concha. Image credit: Addorisio et al, doi: 10.1186/s42234-019-0020-4.

Vibrotactile Device Improves Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms in Pilot Study

Apr 22, 2019 by News Staff

Application of a vibrotactile device to the cymba concha of the external ear improves disease symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, according...

Operation principle of the vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) system schematically showing the pathway for biphasic electric signal generation and VNS. Image credit: Yao et al, doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-07764-z.

Implantable Vagus Nerve Stimulation Device Aids Weight Loss

Dec 19, 2018 by News Staff

An international team of researchers led by University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists has developed an easily implantable weight-loss device. In lab experiments,...