How AgRP brain cells influence weight gain
Neural pathways for obesity development by AgRP neurons
This project looks at how specific hypothalamus neurons called AgRP cells cause weight gain to help guide development of better treatments for adults with obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11323044 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, scientists are studying a group of brain cells (AgRP neurons) that control hunger and body weight. In the lab they will use genetic and circuit-based tools in animal models to turn these cells on or off, remove individual neurotransmitters (like GABA, NPY, and AgRP), and trace which brain connections lead to long-term weight gain. They will also examine how leptin signaling in different AgRP neuron subgroups affects obesity. The goal is to identify precise neural pathways that could become safer, more specific targets for future obesity therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with obesity who are interested in future targeted therapies that act on brain hunger pathways would be the likely beneficiaries of this line of research.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatments or whose weight issues are driven mainly by non-neural factors may not see direct benefit from this basic laboratory study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to precise brain targets for new obesity treatments that lower weight with fewer side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies show AgRP neurons strongly influence feeding and body weight, but translating those findings into safe, effective human treatments has not yet been achieved.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tong, Qingchun — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Tong, Qingchun
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.