Elevated levels of the gut hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) may increase brain inflammation in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a rare autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in the spinal cord and eye nerves, according to research presented today at the 150 th Annual Meeting of the American Neurological Association.

GLP-1 is a natural gut hormone that is produced after eating. It can lower blood sugar, slow digestion and control appetite. GLP-1 drugs mimic this hormone to help patients lose weight and control their diabetes.

However, this study suggests GLP-1 and its receptor, GLP-1R, may cause area postrema syndrome (APS), characterized by severe nausea and vomiting, a main symptom for some NMOSD patients—up to 10% of NMOSD patients list APS a

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