Understanding brain signals for feeling full in healthy people and those with obesity
Regulation of satiation centers in health and obesity
This work explores how a specific part of the brain helps us feel full after eating, aiming to find new ways to help people manage their weight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11115564 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Obesity is a significant health challenge, and current weight loss medications often don't provide lasting results. This suggests we need to discover new brain mechanisms that control how much we eat. Researchers have found a new group of brain cells in the cerebellum that become active when we eat and can dramatically reduce meal size. This project will explore how these brain cells are activated by different signals from our senses, nutrition, and gut, and how their activity changes in people with obesity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to individuals living with obesity or those interested in the brain's role in appetite and weight regulation.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment options or direct clinical intervention would not directly benefit from this basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of more effective treatments for obesity by targeting these newly identified brain pathways.
How similar studies have performed: This approach builds on recent discoveries by the research team that identified these specific cerebellar neurons and their importance in feeding behavior, suggesting a novel and promising direction.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Betley, John Nicholas — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Betley, John Nicholas
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.