How the brain controls how fast we eat
Neural mechanisms that control the rate of ingestion
This project explores how brain circuits use taste, smell, and gut signals to speed up or slow down eating, with relevance for people who struggle with appetite or overeating.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11233314 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Scientists will look at how signals from the eyes, nose, mouth, and gut are combined in brain regions that control bite-by-bite eating. They will map and manipulate brainstem circuits that drive the act of eating, study how the forebrain sends control signals down to the brainstem, and test how local brainstem networks gate signals from different organs. The work uses laboratory models to record neurons and observe feeding behavior while altering specific circuits. Together, these experiments aim to explain how moment-to-moment sensory feedback tells the brain when to keep eating or stop.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: In future clinical efforts, people with problems controlling how much or how fast they eat—such as those with obesity or binge-eating disorder—would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People whose eating difficulties are caused mainly by social, environmental, or unrelated psychiatric issues may not see direct benefit from these neural circuit findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets for treatments to help people with overeating, obesity, or disordered appetite.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have identified feeding-related brain circuits and altered feeding in models, but moving those findings into human therapies is still largely untested.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knight, Zachary a. — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Knight, Zachary a.
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.