Research
Hormonal
CNS insulin signaling regulates systemic glucose homeostasis primarily through POMC neurons, whereas its effect on body weight involves additional, less-defined neuronal populations.
Insulin's effect on blood sugar regulation is tightly linked to specific brain neurons (POMC), while its effect on weight involves a broader network. This explains why treating insulin resistance might improve blood sugar control differently than it affects body weight.
GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
Indeed, there is now conclusive evidence that leptin signaling in POMC neurons is predominantly necessary for regulation of systemic glucose homeostasis... whereas db/db mice (lacking LEPR globally) suffer from early onset uncontrolled diabetes.
Why this rating
Supported by genetic re-expression studies in mice showing normalization of glucose homeostasis.
Source
CNS leptin and insulin action in the control of energy homeostasis
Bengt‐Frederik Belgardt et al. · Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · 2010
DOI 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05799.x
narrative_reviewCited 272×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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