How brain immune cells affect blood sugar and body weight
Metabolic Regulation by Microglial Inflammatory Signaling
This project looks at whether changing the activity of brain immune cells called microglia changes blood sugar control and body weight for people with type 2 diabetes or obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11318901 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, scientists are using mice to turn microglia (brain immune cells) on or off with a special receptor to see how that changes glucose levels and weight. They feed some mice a high-fat diet to mimic overnutrition and then measure glucose tolerance, insulin release, and brain neuron activity. The team studies inflammatory signals such as TNF and prostaglandins and tracks how those signals affect melanocortin neurons and parasympathetic control of insulin. Results are meant to reveal mechanisms that could guide future treatments targeting brain–immune links in metabolic disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with type 2 diabetes or obesity who are interested in new biological explanations for blood sugar problems would be most connected to this research, though the current experiments use mice rather than enrolling patients.
Not a fit: Patients should not expect direct or immediate treatment benefit because the work is preclinical and performed in animal models to guide future human therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets in the brain-immune system that improve blood sugar control for people with type 2 diabetes or obesity.
How similar studies have performed: Related animal studies, including prior work from this team, have shown that altering microglial inflammation changes weight and glucose control, but these findings are still novel and have not been tested as treatments in people.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thaler, Joshua P — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Thaler, Joshua P
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.