Exploring brain circuits to treat obesity
Official title: Interrogating Ventral Pallidal Circuits as a Therapeutic Target for Obesity
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10995636 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain parts of the brain affect our eating habits and weight gain, especially when we eat tasty foods, to find new ways to help people manage obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $35,482 |
| NIH project number | 1F31DK138755-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10995636 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals struggling with obesity or those who have difficulty controlling their eating habits.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are underweight or have eating disorders unrelated to obesity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how specific brain circuits, particularly in the ventral pallidum, influence eating behaviors and obesity. By examining how these circuits respond to palatable foods, the study aims to understand the mechanisms behind overeating and weight gain. The approach includes analyzing neuronal activity during food consumption to identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention. This could lead to new strategies for managing obesity by addressing the underlying brain processes that drive excessive eating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that help individuals manage their weight by targeting brain circuits involved in appetite and reward.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting brain circuits for obesity treatment, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Justin G — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Wang, Justin G
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how knee pain and knee obesity and muscle loss affect knee osteoarthritis
This project looks at how knee swelling, excess knee fat, and muscle loss relate to pain and structural changes in knee osteoarthritis in adults.
-
Understanding how maternal and infant sleep and daily rhythms influence early appetite and obesity risk
This project explores how infant sleep, circadian rhythms, and maternal-infant timing relate to early appetite patterns and the risk of obesity in the first year of life.
-
GLP-1 receptor agonists as immune targets to treat asthma in lean and obese adults
Aims to understand how GLP-1R‑agonist diabetes medicines may directly calm immune cells to reduce asthma in adults who are lean or obese.
-
Understanding how where you live and personal factors during pregnancy affect a child’s risk for obesity and metabolic problems
This project looks at how neighborhood conditions and individual factors during pregnancy may influence a child’s risk of obesity and metabolic health as they grow.
-
Multicomponent lifestyle program to curb obesity and cardiometabolic risk in Samoan children
A locally designed lifestyle program aimed at preventing obesity and heart-disease risk in Samoan kids, with a focus on daily routines, healthy eating, sleep, and family support.
-
Game-based mobile app to help pregnant women with overweight/obesity manage weight in Nepal
A new app designed for pregnant women in Nepal with overweight or obesity to help manage weight gain during pregnancy and reduce weight retention after birth.
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.