The gut-brain axis regulates key behaviors like feeding, gut function, metabolism and autonomic responses, largely through brainstem circuits and the vagus nerve. These pathways are targeted by incretin-mimetic drugs, which have transformed diabetes and obesity treatment. This Keystone Symposia conference will highlight cutting-edge research on how the gut senses nutrients and relays signals to the brain, the neural circuits involved, and how these mechanisms can inform therapeutic strategies for obesity and metabolic disorders.
The meeting will unite experts from neuroscience, gut biology, metabolism, nutrition, and pharmacology, from across academia and industry, to explore the physiological and therapeutic relevance of gut-brain communication. Held jointly with the Keystone Symposia conference on Islet Biology and Diabetes: Beta Cell Compensation, Failure and Recovery, the event will also examine how these signaling pathways intersect with metabolic regulation and diabetes. Shared sessions and networking opportunities will foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation towards novel discoveries with clinical impacts.