How brain signals affect meal size in obesity models
Neural determinants on meal size in invertebrate models of obesity
This study looks at how fruit flies decide how much to eat by connecting what they sense about food to how rewarding it feels, and it hopes to learn how unhealthy diets can mess with this process, which could help us understand obesity and related health issues in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10876482 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how animals, specifically fruit flies, control the size of their meals by linking sensory cues to the rewarding aspects of food. It aims to understand the neural mechanisms that regulate meal size and how these mechanisms are disrupted by high-fat and high-sugar diets. By using advanced genetic tools and studying the brain circuits of fruit flies, the research seeks to uncover the connections between diet, dopamine signaling, and obesity. This knowledge could provide insights into the causes of obesity and metabolic diseases in humans.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research are individuals struggling with obesity or metabolic diseases, particularly those affected by high-calorie diets.
Not a fit: Patients who are not affected by obesity or metabolic disorders may not receive direct benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing and treating obesity and related metabolic disorders in humans.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in using similar models to understand the neural mechanisms of feeding behavior, making this approach promising.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dus, Monica — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Dus, Monica
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.