How the brain’s support structure around certain neurons may affect appetite and weight in Alzheimer’s-related conditions
Official title: PNNs enhance excitatory synaptic strength onto GABAergic neurons in the PeFAH to promote food intake and weight gain
Funded at University of South Florida · NIH-11430870 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new NIH grant explores whether a brain “support network” around specific neurons in a region linked to appetite could influence weight gain in people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $555,930 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK148810-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11430870 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with Alzheimer’s disease dementia or Alzheimer syndrome who are able to participate in brain-imaging or tissue studies and related metabolic assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without Alzheimer’s-related dementia or who cannot participate in brain or tissue studies may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at a brain structure called perineuronal nets and how they wrap GABAergic neurons in a region called the PeFAH to control food intake. Researchers will study how these brain components change eating behavior and body weight, especially in the context of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The work involves advanced brain mapping and analyses of human tissue and potentially patient samples to understand mechanisms that could be targeted for therapies. The goal is to identify new, more effective ways to manage weight and metabolic health in patients with Alzheimer’s-related conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies to help manage obesity and metabolic complications in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests that brain structures like perineuronal nets influence eating behavior, but this specific PeFAH region approach is innovative and still largely exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Florida
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tu, Longlong — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Tu, Longlong
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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.