How sense of smell affects weight and blood sugar
Probing the link between sensory systems and metabolism to prevent obesity
This work will test whether changing smell-signal activity in the brain can help lower body weight and improve blood sugar for adults with obesity or type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tallahassee, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11325716 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will change a specific protein (Kv1.3) in the brain's smell neurons to see whether that alters how the body uses energy, burns fat, and clears glucose. They will combine targeted genetic manipulations with odor stimulation and measure effects on body weight, fat use, total energy expenditure, and blood glucose. Most work is done in lab models to reveal how smell signals influence metabolism, with the long-term aim of guiding new diet, drug, or gene-based approaches. Any human treatments would be future steps based on these preclinical findings.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with obesity or type 2 diabetes, particularly those struggling with weight or blood sugar control, would be the likely candidates for future trials based on this work.
Not a fit: People without metabolic problems or whose weight issues are unrelated to metabolic regulation likely would not benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to lower weight and improve blood sugar by targeting smell-related brain pathways.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and laboratory studies have linked smell circuitry to weight regulation, but translating these findings to people remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Tallahassee, United States
- Florida State University — Tallahassee, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fadool, Debra Ann — Florida State University
- Study coordinator: Fadool, Debra Ann
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.