In her presentation, "Hypothalamic Ceramide Synthesis Mediates Orexigenic Effect of Ghrelin", Dr. Casals outlined the results of the research, which was largely conducted by Dr. Sara Ramírez, a professor of Pharmacology at the UIC Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, under Casals' supervision. Their work, which has been published in Diabetes, shows that hypothalamic ceramide levels modulate appetite, meaning they may be a therapeutic target worth taking into account when designing anorectic drugs.

The study was chiefly carried out at the laboratories of the UIC Faculty of Medicine and Health Services. Additionally, it benefited from collaboration from the Universidad de Santiago de Compostela's Biomedical Research Group, a pioneering appetite-control project coordinated by Dr. Carlos Diéguez.

The conference, organized by the Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology, showcased the latest developments in neuronal control of weight, appetite, metabolism and the body. It also featured a discussion of new knowledge and ongoing research on human obesity, diabetes and metabolic disorders.