The meeting brings together international top leaders in the field of diabetes to enable the identification of, and potential solutions to, the preeminent scientific challenges facing the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. For this 6th conference, the main focus will be on the role of the brain in metabolic control. Moreover the conference will feature two award presentations: the Helmholtz Diabetes Lecture, in recognition of the lifetime achievements of a senior leader in the field, and the Helmholtz Young Investigator in Diabetes Award (HeIDi), in recognition of a rising star. Every year, this conference series integrates research reports on essential scientific questions in urgent need of a breakthrough. In 2018, we will focus on the role of the brain in metabolic control uncovering the cell type diversity and functional heterogeneity of hypothalamic regulatory circuits to allow dissecting, targeting and improving the CNS control of metabolism. This years conference will be hosted by Matthias Tschöp, Helmholtz Zentrum München & Technische Universität München/ TUM and Jens Brüning, Max Planck Institute Cologne. To view the program and to register for the conference, please visit the conference website: www.hd-conference.com.