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Updated: Dec 21, 2025

Real-time Analysis of Gut-brain Neural Communication: Cortex wide Calcium Dynamics in Response to Intestinal Glucose Stimulation
Published on: December 29, 2023
Interaction of glucose sensing and leptin action in the brain
Rosa J W Li1, Song-Yang Zhang1, Tony K T Lam2
1Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada; Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, UHN, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada.
Background:
In response to energy abundant or deprived conditions, nutrients and hormones activate hypothalamic pathways to maintain energy and glucose homeostasis. The underlying CNS mechanisms, however, remain elusive in rodents and humans.
Scope Of Review:
Here, we first discuss brain glucose sensing mechanisms in the presence of a rise or fall of plasma glucose levels, and highlight defects in hypothalamic glucose sensing disrupt in vivo glucose homeostasis in high-fat fed, obese, and/or diabetic conditions. Second, we discuss brain leptin signalling pathways that impact glucose homeostasis in glucose-deprived and excessed conditions, and propose that leptin enhances hypothalamic glucose sensing and restores glucose homeostasis in short-term high-fat fed and/or uncontrolled diabetic conditions.
Major Conclusions:
In conclusion, we believe basic studies that investigate the interaction of glucose sensing and leptin action in the brain will address the translational impact of hypothalamic glucose sensing in diabetes and obesity.
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