How brain immune cells affect weight and blood sugar levels
Official title: Metabolic Regulation by Microglial Inflammatory Signaling
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11047439 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells in the brain react to overeating and how this affects weight gain and blood sugar levels, with the hope of finding new ways to help people with obesity and diabetes.
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 start | April 10, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $871,965 |
| NIH project number | 2R01DK119754-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11047439 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals struggling with obesity or adult-onset diabetes who may benefit from novel treatment approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with metabolic conditions unrelated to obesity or those who do not have adult-onset diabetes may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of microglial inflammatory signaling in the brain and its impact on obesity and glucose regulation. It explores how immune cell activation in response to overnutrition can lead to weight gain and affects blood sugar levels. Using advanced mouse models, the study examines the complex relationship between energy balance and glucose homeostasis, aiming to uncover mechanisms that could lead to new treatments for diabetes and obesity. Patients may benefit from insights gained about how brain signaling influences metabolic health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for managing obesity and diabetes by targeting brain immune cell signaling.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the role of immune cells in metabolism, indicating that this approach has potential for significant breakthroughs.
Where this research is happening
-
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.