Associate Professor Christoffer Clemmensen and his colleagues at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research at the University of Copenhagen have developed a novel weight-loss drug that targets the plasticity of the brain. This drug combines the weight loss hormone GLP-1 with molecules that affect the brain’s neurotransmitter system, resulting in significant weight loss in mice. The drug’s effectiveness may allow for lower dosages, potentially reducing side effects commonly associated with weight-loss medications currently on the market.
By utilizing GLP-1 as a ‘Trojan Horse’ to deliver specific molecules to the brain, the new drug demonstrates a strong effect on weight loss in mice when compared to GLP-1 alone. While the drug shows promise in animal studies, clinical trials with human participants are necessary to determine how the drug will affect human response and potential side effects. The drug development is currently in the preclinical phase, with future steps involving clinical trials on humans before it can potentially be made available to the public.
The development of this new weight-loss drug stems from research on molecules used to treat conditions such as chronic depression and Alzheimer’s disease. By targeting the NMDA receptor, which plays a role in long-term changes in brain connections, the drug affects neuroplasticity in the brain and has the potential to induce persistent weight loss in individuals. The researchers’ interest in developing drugs to aid in weight loss stems from the global rise in obesity, with over one billion people worldwide having a BMI of 30 or higher.
The drug’s unique approach to delivering molecules specifically to appetite-regulating neurons in the brain illustrates a new avenue for drug development, particularly for conditions related to neuroplasticity. The combination of targeting the brain’s appetite control centre with GLP-1 and molecules that block the NMDA receptor allows for a more specific delivery of medications, potentially reducing side effects associated with non-specific drugs that affect the entire brain. This approach may pave the way for a new class of drugs for various neurobiological and psychiatric conditions.
Neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to restructure and adapt to new experiences, is crucial in understanding how the new weight-loss drug works. By forming new connections and reorganizing brain regions, neuroplasticity plays a key role in learning, memory, and recovery from injuries. The development of this drug by Christoffer Clemmensen and his team has led to the creation of a spin-out company, Ousia Pharma, which aims to further develop the medical concept for the treatment of severe obesity and potentially other neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.
While the drug’s development is still in the early stages of research, it holds promise for addressing the growing global health issue of obesity. Through innovative approaches that leverage the brain’s plasticity, new therapies may be developed to aid in weight loss and potentially offer new treatment options for a range of neurological and psychiatric conditions. The combination of GLP-1 with molecules targeting the NMDA receptor represents a novel strategy in drug delivery that could lead to impactful advancements in the field of medicine.