The role of the central nervous system in glucose homeostasis
Abstract Central nervous system, mainly the hypothalamus and the brainstem are importantkeys in glucose homeostasis. Not only do they use glucose as primary fuel for theirfunctioning but they are part of intricate neuronal circuits involved in glucose uptakeand production as was first shown by Claude Bernard. Moreoverelectrophysiological analysis of hypothalamus revealed the existence of glucosensingneurons whose firing rates are controlled by glucose extracellular level. Furtherinformation was obtained regarding the importance of leptin, insulin and free fattyacids as afferent signals received by these neural structures. As for the main efferentpathways, autonomic system is the one connecting CNS with the effector organs (theliver, the pancreas and the adrenal glands).