How thyroid hormones in the brain control body weight
Hypothalamic regulation by thyroid hormone receptor phosphorylation
This research explores how thyroid hormones work in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus to manage how much we eat and our body weight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11132700 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies have different types of thyroid hormone receptors, and one called THRB2 is especially important in the brain for controlling metabolism and the body's thyroid system. We've discovered that THRB2 can be modified by other molecules, and this modification might be key to how it influences food intake. When this modification doesn't work correctly in mice, it leads to increased eating and weight gain. We believe that understanding this process could help explain why some people experience weight gain and resistance to certain hormones.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who experience challenges with weight management, obesity, or thyroid hormone resistance may find this foundational research relevant to future treatments.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment options or direct clinical intervention will not find direct benefit from this basic science investigation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Successfully understanding this pathway could lead to new ways to help people manage their weight and address issues like obesity and leptin resistance.
How similar studies have performed: This work builds on recent discoveries about how thyroid hormone receptors are modified, proposing a novel pathway that links this modification to food intake and obesity.
Where this research is happening
Tucson, United States
- University of Arizona — Tucson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wondisford, Fredric E. — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Wondisford, Fredric E.
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.