How the brain triggers heat production in muscles when sensing danger
Official title: Neural Mechanisms Underlying Central Induction of Skeletal Muscle Thermogenesis
Funded at Kent State University · NIH-10974113 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain helps muscles generate heat when we feel threatened, like when we smell a predator, and it's aimed at understanding how this process affects energy use in our bodies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kent State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kent, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $458,899 |
| NIH project number | 2R15DK121246-02A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10974113 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would be individuals struggling with obesity or weight management issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by obesity or metabolic disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain can stimulate skeletal muscle to produce heat in response to perceived threats, such as the scent of a predator. By studying the neural mechanisms involved, particularly focusing on a specific brain region known as the ventromedial hypothalamus, the researchers aim to understand how this process can increase energy expenditure. The study involves using animal models to observe changes in muscle temperature and energy use when exposed to certain stimuli. Techniques like Western blots and immunofluorescence will be employed to analyze brain activity and protein changes related to this response.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for combating obesity by enhancing energy expenditure in humans.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of using predator scent to study muscle thermogenesis is novel, related research has shown that brain mechanisms can influence energy expenditure.
Where this research is happening
-
Kent State University
Kent, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Novak, Colleen M — Kent State University
- Study coordinator: Novak, Colleen M
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.