Specific brain cells that trigger nausea
Area Postrema Neurons that Mediate Nausea-Associated Behaviors
Looks at whether certain nerve cells in a tiny brain area called the area postrema can be turned on or off to stop nausea that often makes cancer treatment hard to tolerate.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11289453 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project maps the different nerve cell types in a tiny brain area called the area postrema using single-nucleus gene sequencing. Researchers use genetically modified mice and tools that can activate, silence, remove, and image specific neurons while watching nausea-like behaviors. They also map which cell surface receptors those neurons express so drugs could target them. The goal is lab-based work that points to new ways to reduce severe nausea, especially for cancer patients who struggle with treatment side effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have severe treatment-related nausea, such as cancer patients who cannot complete chemotherapy because of nausea, are the main group this research aims to help.
Not a fit: People whose nausea comes primarily from motion sickness or inner-ear balance problems may not benefit because those causes involve different pathways.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could reveal precise brain targets for new medicines or therapies that better prevent or stop severe nausea in patients undergoing cancer treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Classical lesion and animal studies already link the area postrema to nausea, but specifying which neuron types and receptors to target is a newer, largely preclinical effort.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard Medical School — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liberles, Stephen Daniel — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Liberles, Stephen Daniel
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.