Understanding how brain pathways control food intake and feelings about eating
Official title: Synapse to behavior, interrogating pathways underlying the control of food intake
Funded at Washington State University · NIH-11001682 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain signals affect our feelings about food and how those feelings can change what we eat, with the goal of finding better treatments for obesity that don't make you feel sick.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pullman, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $41,352 |
| NIH project number | 1F99NS135809-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001682 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are struggling with obesity or related eating disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not overweight or do not have issues related to food intake may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain pathways that influence how we feel about eating and how these feelings can affect our food intake. It focuses on specific neurons that respond to food and how they can lead to both positive and negative feelings associated with eating. By studying these pathways, the research aims to identify ways to develop treatments for obesity that minimize unpleasant side effects, such as nausea. The approach includes characterizing the types of nerve signals that interact with these neurons to better understand their role in controlling appetite and emotional responses to food.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for obesity that help patients manage their eating habits without unpleasant side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding brain pathways related to appetite control, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington State University
Pullman, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Winzenried, Eric Thomas — Washington State University
- Study coordinator: Winzenried, Eric Thomas
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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.