How gut cells influence the feeling of reward from food
Official title: Gut epithelial control of nutrient reward
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11054585 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain cells in your gut might affect how you enjoy food and your eating habits, especially if you're dealing with obesity, to find new ways to help manage weight and appetite.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $131,574 |
| NIH project number | 5K01DK138286-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054585 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals struggling with obesity or related metabolic disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by obesity or do not have related metabolic issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of specialized cells in the intestine that may influence how we perceive the reward from food, particularly in the context of obesity. It aims to understand how these gut cells communicate with the brain to affect eating behavior and food intake. By mapping the connections between these intestinal cells and brain targets, the research seeks to uncover mechanisms that could lead to new treatments for obesity. The study will focus on how these gut signals can impact appetite and potentially lead to overeating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new medications that help manage obesity by enhancing the brain's reward response to food.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding gut-brain interactions, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights into obesity treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rupprecht, Laura Eloise — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Rupprecht, Laura Eloise
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.