Decoding how bariatric surgery changes brain signals to help weight loss
Official title: Decoding Bariatric Surgery Outcomes through Activity and Transcriptional Analysis of Melanocortin Neurons
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11417325 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project looks at how weight-loss surgeries like VSG and RYGB alter brain cell activity related to appetite and metabolism to understand why these procedures work.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $805,307 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK141541-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417325 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults undergoing bariatric procedures or those with obesity-related metabolic issues may be relevant for future clinical applications or related studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not considering or eligible for bariatric procedures may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project examines specific brain cells in the arcuate nucleus that control hunger and metabolism, using electrophysiology to see how their activity changes after bariatric surgery. It will also test what happens when these neurons are silenced or inhibited to determine their role in the metabolic benefits of surgery. The study compares responses from different surgical approaches (VSG vs RYGB) to identify molecular and cellular changes that may underlie improved glucose control and weight loss. Findings could reveal targets to mimic surgical benefits without surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify brain pathways and molecular changes that drive metabolic improvements after bariatric surgery, guiding new non-surgical treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown brain circuits in obesity are involved in weight regulation, but this study investigates causality by silencing specific neurons.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Williams, Kevin W — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Williams, Kevin W
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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.