Evidence mapPaperPMID 42534938Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in neuroanatomy2026

Nucleus accumbens GLP-1 signaling and its role in reward and metabolic regulation: a systematic review.

Maysa Edwiges, Susana I Sá, Rui Lopes, Cesar Portela, José Paulo Andrade, João Rocha-Neves

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in neuroanatomy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Maysa Edwiges *Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Susana I Sá *RISE-Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Rui LopesDepartment of Psiquiatry, Hospital Lusíadas - Braga, Braga, Portugal.
Cesar PortelaRISE-Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
José Paulo AndradeRISE-Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
João Rocha-NevesRISE-Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone involved in glucose homeostasis, appetite regulation, and energy balance. Beyond its peripheral metabolic actions, growing evidence indicates that GLP-1 signalling within the central nervous system modulates reward-related processes. The nucleus accumbens (NAc), a key component of the mesolimbic reward pathway, represents a critical site where metabolic and motivational signals converge. However, the role of GLP-1 signalling within the human NAc remains incompletely understood. This systematic review aimed to synthesize current human evidence on GLP-1 expression and receptor signalling in the NAc and their role in reward and metabolic regulation. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted in December 2025. Human studies assessing GLP-1 or GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) in relation to NAc structure, function, or connectivity were included. Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. Results: From 276 screened records, five studies were included, totalling 284 participants. No consistent evidence emerged for direct GLP-1-related alterations in isolated NAc activation or GLP-1R expression. Instead, GLP-1 modulation of mesolimbic connectivity, particularly between the NAc and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), was observed. Discussion: Current human evidence suggests that GLP-1 modulates reward processing primarily through cortico-striatal connectivity rather than localized changes within the NAc, with potential translational implications for obesity and addiction. Further harmonized neuroimaging studies incorporating direct pharmacological manipulation are needed to clarify NAc-specific GLP-1 mechanisms. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251250453.

Indexed as

dopaminergic neuronsfeeding behaviourglucagon-like peptide-1 receptorneural pathwaysreward system

Identifiers

PMID42534938
PMCPMC13422549

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.