How the brain drives overeating and weight loss with GLP-1 medications
Official title: Prelimbic to accumbal maladaptations in obesity and semaglutide-induced weight loss
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-11435580 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are studying how brain circuits that control food seeking respond to obesity and weight loss with a GLP-1 drug, to understand why weight loss often doesn’t hold.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $117,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R03DK149009-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11435580 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals with obesity who are considering or using pharmacological weight-loss treatments, to inform future translational work.
✕Less likely to help
People without obesity or without interest in brain-based mechanisms of eating may not benefit from this line of research.
What this research studies
This project looks at a brain circuit (D1SPNs in the nucleus accumbens) that seems more active when obese mice seek food. Researchers will use a new behavior test that measures immediate effort to obtain food to better reflect motivation in obesity. They will examine how this circuit changes during diet-induced obesity and during weight loss induced by GLP-1 receptor agonists, aiming to pinpoint mechanisms that sustain overeating even after weight loss.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to more effective, longer-lasting weight-loss strategies by targeting the brain signals that drive persistent overeating.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show obesity alters brain circuits related to food motivation; this project uses a new behavioral assay to reveal these changes more clearly.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Matikainen-Ankney, Bridget — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Matikainen-Ankney, Bridget
Related research
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Predictors of Weight Loss Response in Teens for Lifestyle Changes and GLP-1 Therapy
Teens with obesity may have different brain and behavior profiles that help predict how well they respond to lifestyle changes or GLP-1 drug therapy.
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.