Investigating how a brain circuit affects feelings of fullness in humans
Official title: Validation of a novel cerebellar-striatal satiety circuit in human
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11032835 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a certain part of the brain helps control feelings of fullness after eating, especially for people dealing with obesity, to find new ways to help manage their appetite and eating habits.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $673,005 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK137856-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11032835 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults aged 21 and older who are experiencing obesity or related eating disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are under 21 years old or those without issues related to obesity or appetite regulation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to explore the role of a specific brain circuit, known as the cerebellar-striatal circuit, in regulating feelings of satiety or fullness in humans. By using advanced techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and neuroimaging, the study will assess how this circuit influences appetite and food intake. The researchers will conduct acute neuromodulation studies to understand the causal effects of this circuit on eating behavior, particularly in individuals struggling with obesity. The findings could lead to new therapeutic approaches for managing obesity and related disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new insights and treatments for obesity by targeting brain circuits that control appetite.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results using similar neuromodulation techniques in animal models, but this approach in humans is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Holsen, Laura Mcgrath — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Holsen, Laura Mcgrath
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.