Brain's control over glucose metabolism

Can a Brain Signal Really Beat Diabetes? The FGF1 Breakthrough

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research explores how targeting the brain with FGF1 could revolutionize diabetes treatment, offering hope for lasting remission and insulin independence."

For millions living with type 2 diabetes (T2D), the daily management of blood sugar levels can feel like a never-ending battle. Traditional treatments often involve a combination of medication, diet, and exercise, yet many individuals still struggle to achieve lasting control. But what if the key to unlocking sustained remission lay not in the periphery, but within the intricate network of the brain?

Groundbreaking research is now exploring the potential of fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1), delivered directly to the brain, to combat diabetes. This innovative approach, moving beyond conventional methods, aims to tap into the brain’s regulatory mechanisms to achieve enduring anti-diabetic effects. Studies in rodent models have shown remarkable promise, sparking interest in the potential for similar results in humans.

This article dives into the details of this cutting-edge research, examining how FGF1 acts within the brain to improve glucose metabolism, preserve insulin function, and potentially offer a new avenue for managing type 2 diabetes. We'll explore the mechanisms behind this approach, its potential benefits, and what it could mean for the future of diabetes treatment.

How Does FGF1 in the Brain Fight Diabetes?

The central idea behind this research is that the brain plays a significant role in regulating glucose metabolism throughout the body. By targeting specific areas of the brain with FGF1, researchers aim to influence these regulatory processes and improve blood sugar control. Here’s a breakdown of the key mechanisms involved:

FGF1, when introduced into the brain, appears to kickstart a series of beneficial changes that help manage diabetes:

Preserving Beta-Cell Function: Type 2 diabetes is often marked by a progressive decline in the function of pancreatic beta-cells, which are responsible for producing insulin. Research suggests that FGF1 can delay this decline, helping to maintain insulin production for a longer period.
Boosting Hepatic Glucose Uptake: The liver plays a critical role in glucose metabolism, and FGF1 seems to enhance the liver's ability to take up glucose from the bloodstream. This process, known as hepatic glucose uptake (HGU), helps lower blood sugar levels.
Insulin-Independent Glucose Clearance: Unlike some diabetes medications that rely on increasing insulin secretion or sensitivity, FGF1 appears to promote glucose clearance through mechanisms that don't depend on insulin. This is particularly important for individuals with insulin resistance, a common characteristic of type 2 diabetes.

These combined effects—preserving beta-cell function, boosting hepatic glucose uptake, and promoting insulin-independent glucose clearance—contribute to the sustained anti-diabetic action observed in the studies. The result is a significant improvement in blood sugar control and, potentially, a path toward diabetes remission.

Looking Ahead: The Future of FGF1 and Diabetes

While the research on FGF1 in the brain is still in its early stages, the findings offer a promising glimpse into the future of diabetes treatment. By targeting the central regulatory mechanisms in the brain, this approach has the potential to overcome some of the limitations of current therapies and offer a more sustainable path towards diabetes remission. As research progresses, it’s important to remember that lifestyle interventions such as diet and exercise remain crucial components of managing diabetes. However, the possibility of a brain-centered treatment adds an exciting new dimension to the fight against this widespread condition.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.2337/db18-0498, Alternate LINK

Title: Peripheral Mechanisms Mediating The Sustained Antidiabetic Action Of Fgf1 In The Brain

Subject: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Journal: Diabetes

Publisher: American Diabetes Association

Authors: Jarrad M. Scarlett, Kenjiro Muta, Jenny M. Brown, Jennifer M. Rojas, Miles E. Matsen, Nikhil K. Acharya, Anna Secher, Camilla Ingvorsen, Rasmus Jorgensen, Thomas Høeg-Jensen, Darko Stefanovski, Richard N. Bergman, Francesca Piccinini, Karl J. Kaiyala, Masakazu Shiota, Gregory J. Morton, Michael W. Schwartz

Published: 2018-12-06

Everything You Need To Know

What is FGF1 and why is it important in the context of this research?

The research centers around fibroblast growth factor 1, or FGF1. It's a protein that, when introduced into the brain, has shown potential in managing type 2 diabetes. The significance lies in its ability to target the brain's regulatory mechanisms for glucose metabolism, potentially leading to sustained remission and improved blood sugar control. This approach offers a new perspective on diabetes treatment, moving beyond traditional methods.

How does FGF1 work in the brain to combat diabetes?

In the context of diabetes, FGF1 acts in the brain to preserve beta-cell function, boost hepatic glucose uptake, and promote insulin-independent glucose clearance. Preserving beta-cell function helps maintain insulin production, boosting hepatic glucose uptake enhances the liver's ability to take up glucose, and insulin-independent glucose clearance allows glucose clearance without depending on insulin. Together, these actions contribute to improved blood sugar control and potentially, diabetes remission. The implications are a potential shift in how diabetes is treated, moving beyond conventional methods.

What role does the liver play in this research, and how does FGF1 affect it?

The liver's role is central to glucose metabolism, and it is where FGF1 has a significant impact. FGF1 enhances the liver's ability to take up glucose from the bloodstream, a process known as hepatic glucose uptake (HGU). This is critical because HGU helps lower blood sugar levels. By improving this function, FGF1 contributes to the overall anti-diabetic effect, supporting improved blood sugar control and, potentially, remission in type 2 diabetes.

What is the significance of insulin-independent glucose clearance in relation to FGF1?

Insulin resistance is a common characteristic of type 2 diabetes, where the body's cells don't respond effectively to insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels. FGF1 shows promise in promoting glucose clearance through mechanisms that don't depend on insulin. This is particularly important for individuals with insulin resistance. The implication is that FGF1 could offer a treatment option that works even when the body is resistant to insulin, potentially improving blood sugar control in a wider range of patients.

What does the future hold for FGF1 in the treatment of diabetes?

While the research on FGF1 in the brain is in early stages, it offers a promising direction for the future of diabetes treatment. Targeting the brain allows for addressing the underlying regulatory mechanisms of blood sugar control, potentially overcoming limitations of current therapies. The future of diabetes management will likely still include lifestyle interventions such as diet and exercise, but FGF1 could add a new and exciting dimension to the fight against diabetes, potentially offering a more sustainable path toward remission.