Overview
- At Neuroscience 2025, scientists reported that directing GLP-1 action to the area postrema produced both weight loss and nausea in mice, identifying a key node for therapeutic and adverse effects.
- In mice, activating GLP-1 receptor cells in the central amygdala reduced pleasure-driven eating by lowering dopamine signaling to the ventral tegmental area.
- Rodent data indicate GLP-1 agonists also suppress thirst, with changes implicating the median preoptic area and nucleus of the solitary tract, particularly in Brattleboro rats.
- In obese rats, combining oxytocin with low-dose tirzepatide yielded about 11% weight loss versus 6–7% for either alone, without increased kaolin intake that would signal gastrointestinal discomfort.
- Up to roughly 40% of people on GLP-1 therapies report nausea or vomiting leading to discontinuation, and investigators stress that these preclinical findings require human trials before influencing care.