How temperature affects food preferences and behaviors
Official title: Temperature and thermogustatory preferences
Funded at University of Oklahoma · NIH-10880615 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how temperature affects what we like to eat and how we choose our food, using mice to help us understand more about human eating habits, which could be helpful for people with eating disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Norman, United States) |
| Project start | July 3, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $477,443 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020843-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10880615 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions affecting appetite and food preferences, such as anorexia nervosa or alcohol dependence.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have issues related to appetite or food preferences may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of temperature in influencing food selection and preferences in humans, focusing on how thermal sensations interact with taste and smell. By using specially designed equipment, researchers will study how temperature affects the licking behavior of mice, which can provide insights into human eating behaviors. The study aims to fill significant gaps in our understanding of how temperature impacts our food choices and preferences. The findings could lead to better understanding of eating disorders and appetite regulation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of food preferences, potentially leading to improved treatments for conditions like anorexia nervosa and alcohol dependence.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on temperature's role in food preferences is relatively novel, related research has shown success in understanding sensory influences on eating behaviors.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oklahoma
Norman, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lemon, Christian H — University of Oklahoma
- Study coordinator: Lemon, Christian H
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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.