Understanding brain circuits that influence food-seeking behavior
Official title: A Genetically Defined Lateral Septum Circuit for Contextual Calibration of Food Reward-Seeking
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10830454 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain parts of the brain help control our cravings for food and our desire to avoid it, which is really important for people with eating disorders, and it hopes to find new ways to help treat these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 19, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $130,950 |
| NIH project number | 5K99MH132768-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10830454 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with eating disorders, particularly those experiencing difficulties with food-seeking or avoidance behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have eating disorders or related appetite regulation issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how specific brain circuits regulate food-seeking and avoidance behaviors, which are critical for individuals with eating disorders. By studying the lateral septum and its connections to the hippocampus and hypothalamus, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms that control appetite and food-related cues. Using advanced techniques like single-cell sequencing and optogenetics, the study will explore how certain neurons influence feeding behavior in both male and female mice. The ultimate goal is to identify new therapeutic targets for treating eating disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for individuals suffering from eating disorders by targeting specific brain circuits involved in appetite regulation.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of targeting the lateral septum in this context is novel, previous research has shown success in understanding brain circuits related to appetite and feeding behaviors.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goode, Travis David — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Goode, Travis David
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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.