Brain cells that control hunger and pleasure in obesity
Official title: Forebrain Proenkaphalin Neurons Regulate Feeding
Funded at University of South Florida · NIH-11402432 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying a specific brain cell group to see how it boosts normal hunger-driven eating while reducing pleasure-driven eating, in the context of adult-onset diabetes and obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | July 11, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $568,922 |
| NIH project number | 7R01DK138123-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11402432 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals with obesity or adult-onset diabetes interested in how brain circuits influence eating behavior and weight management.
✕Less likely to help
People without obesity or metabolic disease or those not connected to eating behavior research may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
In this project, scientists focus on GABAergic Penk neurons in a brain region called the diagonal band of Broca and how they influence eating behavior. They will test what happens when these neurons are activated or ablated and observe feeding choices between regular chow and high-fat foods, under hungry and full conditions. The goal is to understand whether a DBP Penk circuit drives homeostatic feeding and limits hedonic eating, which could inform future therapies for obesity and metabolic disease. The work combines animal experiments to map neural circuits with behavioral tests to measure eating and related feelings of reward or anxiety.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new brain-targeted strategies to promote healthy eating and combat obesity-related diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that specific brain circuits can modulate feeding and food preference, supporting the potential for this approach, though the exact Penk neuron pathway is still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Florida
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Yong — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Xu, Yong
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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.