Nausea is a deeply unpleasant sensation that often proves difficult to control. In this episode, we delve into the world of nausea, gut hormones, and brainstem circuits with Dr. Zhang, whose innovative research provides new insights into how our bodies handle this gut malaise.

Drawing upon a detailed cell atlas of the area postrema (a sensory circumventricular organ in the brain that detects bloodborne factors), Dr. Zhang and his team have identified inhibitory neurons that counteract nausea associated with various visceral poisons. Their findings pivot around the gut hormone glucose insulinotropic peptide (GIP), which activates area postrema inhibitory neurons. These neurons then locally project and elicit inhibitory currents in the nausea-promoting excitatory neurons via γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors.

Dr. Zhang's study further reveals that GIP can block behavioral responses to poisons in mice, but this protective effect disappears when the targeted area postrema neurons are eliminated. These groundbreaking findings provide valuable insights into the organization of nausea-associated brainstem circuits and suggest that targeting area postrema inhibitory neurons could offer a new pathway for treating nausea.

Tune in as we navigate the intriguing interplay between our gut and brain with Dr. Zhang, revealing new opportunities for nausea intervention.

Keywords: Dr. Zhang, nausea, area postrema, inhibitory neurons, glucose insulinotropic peptide (GIP), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, brainstem circuits, cell atlas, pharmacological target.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110953 Ablating brainstem GIPR neurons removes anti-nausea effects of GIP