How the Brain Controls Eating Habits
Neural determinants on meal size in invertebrate models of obesity
This research explores how our brains learn to control how much we eat, especially when exposed to diets high in sugar and fat.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136946 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our eating habits are shaped by how our brains connect sensory cues with the rewarding feelings of food, which helps us decide how much to eat. When we eat diets high in sugar and fat, this natural control can be disrupted, leading to overeating and obesity. This project uses fruit flies, which share similar brain mechanisms for food associations, to understand exactly how these brain processes work and how they are changed by unhealthy diets. By studying these basic mechanisms in flies, we hope to uncover the root causes of obesity and metabolic diseases in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This basic science research does not involve direct patient participation but aims to provide fundamental insights relevant to individuals struggling with obesity or metabolic diseases.
Not a fit: Patients will not receive direct medical benefit or treatment from this specific laboratory research using fruit flies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This foundational work could help us better understand the brain changes that lead to overeating and obesity, potentially guiding the development of new strategies to manage weight.
How similar studies have performed: This project builds upon decades of successful research using fruit flies as a model to understand complex biological processes, including brain function and metabolism.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dus, Monica — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Dus, Monica
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.