Exploring how smell affects metabolism to help prevent obesity
Official title: Probing the link between sensory systems and metabolism to prevent obesity
Funded at Florida State University · NIH-11062540 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our sense of smell affects how our bodies handle food and energy, especially for people dealing with obesity and diabetes, to see if improving our sense of smell through diet or treatments can help with weight loss and better energy use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tallahassee, United States) |
| Project start | April 25, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $386,828 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK133464-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11062540 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals struggling with obesity or metabolic disorders, particularly those with a diminished sense of smell.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing issues with obesity or metabolic disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between our sense of smell and how our bodies process food and energy, particularly in relation to obesity and diabetes. The team will explore whether changes in diet or specific treatments can improve olfactory function and, in turn, help regulate metabolism. By manipulating certain channels in brain cells linked to smell, they aim to understand how these changes can lead to weight loss and better energy use in the body. This work could provide insights into new strategies for managing obesity and related metabolic disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative approaches for preventing and treating obesity and diabetes by targeting sensory systems.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of linking olfactory function to metabolism is novel, related research has shown promising results in understanding sensory impacts on metabolic health.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida State University
Tallahassee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fadool, Debra Ann — Florida State University
- Study coordinator: Fadool, Debra Ann
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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.