How early life factors affect brown fat and its nerve connections
Developmental programming of brown adipose tissue sympathetic tone
This study looks at how experiences in early life, like temperature and feeding conditions, can change the nerve connections to brown fat in our bodies and how these changes might affect our health and risk of diseases as we grow older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10649441 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how early life experiences influence the nerve connections to brown adipose tissue (BAT) and how these changes affect overall body health and disease risk later in life. By examining the sympathetic nervous system's role in regulating BAT, the study aims to understand how different developmental exposures, such as temperature and lactation conditions, impact the number of sympathetic neurons and their function. The research employs experimental models to manipulate these factors and assess their long-term effects on metabolism and organ function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who may be at risk for obesity or metabolic disorders.
Not a fit: Patients who are not adults or those without metabolic health concerns may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing obesity and related metabolic diseases by understanding how early life factors influence fat tissue function.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the role of early life factors on metabolic health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zeltser, Lori M — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Zeltser, Lori M
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.