Brain causes of nausea, vomiting, and low energy
Official title: Neural Mechanisms of Nausea, Vomiting, and Energy Dysregulation
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11330553 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether targeting brain circuits that cause nausea can reduce vomiting and improve energy for people taking diabetes, obesity, or cancer medications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2017 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $639,550 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK112812-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11330553 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who experience severe nausea or vomiting while taking GLP-1 medications for diabetes or obesity, or during chemotherapy, would be the most relevant candidates for future trials.
✕Less likely to help
People whose nausea is caused by motion sickness, vestibular disorders, or unrelated gastrointestinal diseases may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team is mapping how gut hormones and specific brain receptors trigger nausea and vomiting using modern genetic tools and animal models. They focus on nausea caused by GLP-1 drugs used for diabetes and obesity and by chemotherapy, which often leaves patients malnourished and exhausted. By identifying the neurons and signaling pathways involved, the researchers aim to find targets that could be treated to prevent or lessen these side effects without blocking the benefits of the original medications. Right now the work is preclinical, but it is intended to guide future treatments and clinical trials to help patients keep their appetite and strength.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to therapies that reduce nausea and vomiting from GLP-1 medications and chemotherapy, helping patients maintain nutrition and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Existing antiemetics help some patients but often leave residual symptoms, and targeting central GIP receptor pathways as a way to reduce nausea is a relatively new and not yet proven approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Jonghe, Bart C — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: De Jonghe, Bart C
Related research
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HR20013 for preventing nausea and vomiting in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy
This real-world study tests whether HR20013 helps prevent nausea and vomiting in adults with cancer who are getting chemotherapy.
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Steroid-Sparing Plan with Olanzapine and Palonosetron to Prevent Nausea in High-Dose Cisplatin
This phase II trial tests a steroid-sparing regimen using olanzapine and palonosetron to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients getting high-dose cisplatin.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.