Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Texas have identified neural pathways that can lead to treating Type 2 diabetes and obesity.

UT said the neural pathways increase their understanding of how the body regulates a person's body weight, energy expenditure and blood glucose levels.

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The key to regulating glucose metabolism and energy expenditure lies in the "Melanocortin 4 (MC4Rs) receptor" that controls the nervous system, said Dr. Joel Elmquist, Director of the Division of Hypothalamic Research. 

MC4Rs is a protein encoded by the MC4R gene involved in feeding behaviors, metabolism regulation, sexual behavior and male erectile function. Its mutations are associated with obesity. 

Emquist said previous studies demonstrate that MC4Rs can regulate energy expenditure and glucose homeostasis. The neurons required to regulate the responses remains unclear, however.

He said they found out that the key to regulating metabolism lies in the expression of MC4Rs that also controls the sympathetic nervous system.

He added these receptors can regulate the ability of white fat to become brown or beige fat.

Emquist said that further understanding this pathway in greater detail can be a key to in identifying the exact process in Type 2 diabetes and obesity.