How amylin in the brain influences cravings for fats, carbs, and protein
Effects of mesolimbic amylin signaling on macronutrient intake
Researchers are testing whether the hormone amylin in a key brain reward area can change how much people eat of fatty, sugary, or protein-rich foods to help reduce overeating and weight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11237989 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how amylin acts in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the brain's reward system to influence eating of specific macronutrients. The team will manipulate amylin receptors in the VTA and measure effects on consumption of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins as well as on dopamine signaling. They will also study sex differences and the role of estradiol in shaping amylin's effects. Most experiments are preclinical but are intended to guide future obesity treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with overweight or obesity who struggle with overeating or strong cravings for high-fat or high-sugar foods would be the most likely candidates for related clinical trials.
Not a fit: Patients whose weight problems are driven primarily by non-reward medical issues (for example, certain endocrine disorders) may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that reduce overeating of highly palatable foods and help people with obesity lose weight.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and some human work shows amylin or amylin analogs can reduce appetite and weight, but targeting VTA-specific amylin signaling and macronutrient-specific eating is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Amherst, United States
- State University of New York at Buffalo — Amherst, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mietlicki-Baase, Elizabeth Genevieve — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Mietlicki-Baase, Elizabeth Genevieve
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.