Understanding how brain circuits help mice anticipate food availability
Official title: Deciphering dopaminergic circuits required for food anticipatory activity in mice
Funded at California State Poly U Pomona · NIH-11077878 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how mice's brains help them predict when food will be available based on their surroundings, and it aims to find out which specific brain cells are involved in this process, which could help us learn more about how humans adapt their eating habits too.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California State Poly U Pomona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pomona, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $147,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM145576-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11077878 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would be individuals interested in the biological basis of feeding behaviors and their implications for health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no interest in behavioral neuroscience or those not affected by eating-related disorders may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain circuits in mice that are responsible for anticipating food availability based on various environmental cues. By using advanced techniques such as conditional genetics and chemogenetic tools, the study aims to identify specific dopamine neurons that play a crucial role in this behavior. The findings could enhance our understanding of how animals adapt their feeding behaviors to changing conditions, which may have implications for understanding similar processes in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide insights into the neural mechanisms of feeding behavior, potentially informing treatments for eating disorders or obesity.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of this research is novel, previous studies have successfully identified neural circuits involved in feeding behavior, suggesting potential for meaningful findings.
Where this research is happening
-
California State Poly U Pomona
Pomona, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Steele, Andrew David — California State Poly U Pomona
- Study coordinator: Steele, Andrew 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.