How taste and rewards influence eating behavior
Gustatory cortex and reward-based, taste-action associations
This study is exploring how our brains connect different tastes, like sweet and bitter, to good or bad experiences, using mice to see how learning can change how we feel about these flavors over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10667567 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain processes taste and its association with rewards, focusing on how learning can change our perception of flavors. Using mice, the study examines how different tastes, both sweet and bitter, can be linked to positive or negative experiences, potentially altering how these tastes are perceived over time. By employing advanced techniques like electrophysiological recordings, the researchers aim to understand the underlying mechanisms of taste-action associations and their impact on feeding behaviors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with eating disorders or those interested in understanding the psychological aspects of taste and eating behavior.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have any interest in or issues related to taste perception or eating behaviors may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment of eating disorders by revealing how taste perceptions can be modified.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success in understanding taste perception and learning, making this approach promising but still exploring new dimensions.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fontanini, Alfredo — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Fontanini, Alfredo
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.