How a brain area controls how your body uses energy
Defining the neurocircuit activated by the VMH to control energy expenditure.
This project aims to understand how a specific part of the brain helps regulate your body weight and energy use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11123280 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people struggle with obesity because their body's natural systems for maintaining a healthy weight aren't working correctly. Our brains play a crucial role in controlling how much energy we use, and this project focuses on a key brain area called the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH). We want to map out the specific brain connections within the VMH that tell your body how to burn energy. By understanding these fundamental brain circuits, we hope to uncover new ways to help people manage their weight and improve their metabolic health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but seeks to understand brain mechanisms relevant to individuals living with obesity or metabolic disorders.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments will not directly benefit from this early-stage basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets in the brain for developing more effective treatments for obesity and related metabolic conditions.
How similar studies have performed: This work builds upon recent discoveries and the team's own published findings that highlight the importance of specific brain cells in metabolic function.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Flak, Jonathan Nicholas — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Flak, Jonathan Nicholas
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 below.