Overview

• A study published in *Cell Metabolism* identifies specific nerve cells in the dorsal vagal complex that mediate semaglutide’s weight-loss effects in mice.
• These nerve cells regulate appetite and fat loss without contributing to side effects like nausea and muscle loss.
• When these cells were activated, mice experienced reduced food intake and weight loss similar to semaglutide treatment.
• Ablating these cells diminished the drug’s appetite-suppressing effects but left its side effects unchanged.
• The findings could lead to targeted therapies that retain semaglutide’s benefits while minimizing adverse reactions.