Probiotic Regulation of Gut-Brain Interactions in Obesity and Eating Behaviors
Official title: PROBE: Probiotic Regulation Of Gut-Microbiome-Brain Interactions in Obesity and Eating Behaviors
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11340949 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A probiotic blend is being tested to see if changing gut bacteria can influence brain pathways involved in obesity and eating behavior.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $697,641 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AT013744-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11340949 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with obesity or without obesity who are willing to participate in a brain and gut health study and comply with study procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals with obesity who do not respond to probiotics or who do not complete the study may not experience benefit.
What this research studies
This study will test a probiotic combination in adults to see how altering gut microbiota affects brain networks related to reward and appetite in obesity. It is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 250 participants (200 with obesity and 50 without) to observe both metabolic and brain-related outcomes. Researchers will monitor changes in gut bacteria, metabolic markers, and brain activity to understand potential links between the gut and brain in obesity. The goal is to identify a personalized, cost-effective approach that can complement existing obesity treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to probiotic-based strategies that help regulate appetite and improve metabolic health in people with obesity.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary evidence suggests microbiome-targeted approaches can influence metabolic and brain pathways, but rigorous mechanistic trials in humans are still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Church, Arpana — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Church, Arpana
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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.