How brain aromatase affects eating and metabolism
Official title: Neuroanatomical substrates underpinning brain aromatase control of feeding behavior and metabolic homeostasis
Funded at Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-11090528 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a brain enzyme called aromatase affects hunger and energy use, and it aims to find out if this enzyme works differently in men and women, which could help us understand more about obesity and metabolic issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project start | July 19, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $492,826 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK129321-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11090528 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are experiencing issues related to obesity or metabolic health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are under 21 years old or do not have concerns related to appetite or metabolic disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of aromatase, an enzyme that produces estradiol from androgens, in controlling feeding behavior and metabolic processes in the brain. By examining specific brain regions, particularly the central nucleus of the amygdala and the ventromedial hypothalamus, the study aims to understand how aromatase influences appetite and energy balance differently in males and females. The researchers will explore whether brain aromatase is essential for regulating feeding and how it interacts with other metabolic controls. This could provide insights into the neuroanatomical mechanisms behind obesity and metabolic disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for managing obesity and metabolic disorders by targeting brain mechanisms that control appetite and energy expenditure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of brain aromatase in metabolic control, but this specific investigation into its neuroanatomical functions is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State University, the
University Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Skibicka, Karolina P — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Skibicka, Karolina P
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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.