How gut bacteria influence brain signals to affect behavior
Official title: Bacteria sensory transduction from gut to brain to modulate behavior
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11014394 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut might affect your eating habits and feelings about food, which could help find new ways to treat issues like obesity and overeating.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | April 5, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $409,557 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK132070-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11014394 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing obesity, hyperphagia, or related behavioral disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any behavioral disorders or those not affected by obesity or appetite issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between gut bacteria and behavior, particularly focusing on how microbial signals from the gut can influence food intake and appetite. The study aims to understand the neural pathways that transmit these signals from the gastrointestinal tract to the brain, which could lead to new therapies for behavioral disorders related to eating. By exploring how gut microbes communicate with the nervous system, the research seeks to uncover mechanisms that could help in treating conditions like obesity and hyperphagia. The approach involves studying specific neural circuits that link gut sensory cells with brain neurons.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments for behavioral disorders related to food intake and emotional well-being.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in animal models, indicating that similar approaches could be effective in understanding gut-brain interactions.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bohorquez, Diego V — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Bohorquez, Diego V
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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.