Exploring vagal gut-brain signals to treat obesity
Official title: Evaluating the therapeutic potential of vagal CART circuitry for treating metabolic disease
Funded at Monell Chemical Senses Center · NIH-11421471 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how the vagus nerve communicates about eating to see if targeting gut-brain signals can help treat obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Monell Chemical Senses Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | February 5, 2018 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $798,821 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK116004-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11421471 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with obesity or those at risk from high-fat, high-sugar diets who might benefit from therapies targeting vagal gut-brain circuits.
✕Less likely to help
People without obesity or related eating behavior issues may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project builds on prior work that manipulated vagal sensory neurons in animals to map circuits that control fullness and reward. It will examine how a high-fat, high-sugar diet alters these gut-brain signals over time using live neuron imaging and advanced gene profiling. The study will also test whether downstream brain circuits related to hunger and pleasure remain workable in obesity and could be targeted to reduce overeating. A final aim will explore the role of dopamine pathways in the brain's control of food choice and motivation. Outcomes could pave the way for new strategies to restore balance in eating behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A better understanding of gut-brain signaling could lead to new therapies that help people control appetite and reduce obesity-related health risks.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown that modulating vagal circuits can influence feeding behavior in animals, supporting translational potential though human-specific results are needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Monell Chemical Senses Center
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Lartigue, Guillaume Fh — Monell Chemical Senses Center
- Study coordinator: De Lartigue, Guillaume Fh
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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.