Brain plays role in regulating blood sugar in humans: U.S. study

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- U.S. researchers have demonstrated for the first time that the brain is a key player in regulating glucose (sugar) metabolism in humans.

The findings, published Monday in the online edition of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, suggest that drugs targeting the brain and central nervous system could be a novel approach to treating diabetes.

"The brain is the body's only organ that needs a constant supply of glucose to survive, so it makes sense that it would have some say over how much glucose is produced," said study leader Meredith Hawkins, professor of medicine and director of the Global Diabetes Initiative at Yeshiva University, in a statement. "This role for the brain was demonstrated in earlier studies in rodents, but there was considerable controversy over whether the results could be applied to humans. We hope this study helps to settle the matter."   More Read