How leptin affects weight, blood sugar, and medication-related weight gain
A New Perspective on Leptin in Health and Disease
Researchers are trying to lower leptin levels to help people with obesity or those who gain weight from antipsychotic medications lose weight and improve insulin sensitivity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11382086 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team uses new laboratory tools, including genetically modified mice and monoclonal antibodies that neutralize leptin, to see how lowering leptin changes body weight and insulin sensitivity. They also study how leptin interacts with treatments like incretins and FGF21 and whether blocking leptin can prevent weight gain caused by antipsychotic drugs. Much of the work is in animals and lab models, but findings are aimed at guiding future therapies for people with obesity or metabolic problems. The researchers measure weight, glucose control, and metabolic markers to determine how leptin reduction affects overall metabolic health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with obesity, insulin resistance, or those experiencing significant weight gain from antipsychotic medications would be the most likely candidates for future trials informed by this work.
Not a fit: People with normal weight and healthy metabolic profiles or conditions unrelated to leptin signaling are unlikely to benefit from these approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that help people lose weight, improve blood sugar control, and avoid weight gain from certain psychiatric medications.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies, including work from these labs, have shown promising weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity when leptin is reduced, but human benefit has not yet been proven.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scherer, Philipp E — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Scherer, Philipp E
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.