Identifying brain cells tied to internal body signals
Official title: Identifying neurons for interoception using simultaneous profiling of activity- and projection- specific populations
Funded at Max Planck Florida Corporation · NIH-11454742 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research grant aims to map brain cell groups that help the body sense its own internal state, which could illuminate how addictions and eating disorders develop.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Max Planck Florida Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jupiter, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,158,000 |
| NIH project number | 4DP2DA060436-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11454742 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with substance use disorders, eating disorders, or related behavioral conditions who may benefit from future therapies targeting insular cortex pathways.
✕Less likely to help
People without these conditions or without involvement in interoceptive brain research would not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how specific neurons in the insular cortex help the brain monitor internal states like hunger, thirst, and stress. It uses animal models to link behavior with precise neural circuits and molecular profiles. The goal is to create a high-throughput approach that connects what animals do with where their neurons project, so we can understand interoception at the cell-type level. The work may reveal targets for future therapies that address maladaptive behaviors tied to internal bodily signals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding interoception could lead to new ways to treat addiction and eating disorders by targeting the brain circuits that process bodily needs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has started to map insular cortex circuits, but this project aims for a higher-throughput, cell-type–specific approach, which is still developing.
Where this research is happening
-
Max Planck Florida Corporation
Jupiter, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stern, Sarah — Max Planck Florida Corporation
- Study coordinator: Stern, Sarah
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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.