Understanding how GLP-1 receptor medicines affect weight and metabolic memory
Official title: The Pharmacogenetics of Weight Cycling with GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11391979 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant plans to study why people regain weight after stopping GLP-1 receptor agonists and how their bodies keep metabolic memories of treatment, with a focus on adults living with obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $820,451 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK145193-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391979 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older with obesity who are candidates for GLP-1RA therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not considering GLP-1RA therapy or those without obesity-related metabolic risk may not benefit.
What this research studies
The study will look at how weight and energy use change after stopping GLP-1 receptor agonists in 100 obese adults. It will use blood and abdominal fat samples to examine multi-omic changes and identify markers linked to weight regain and metabolic risk. The goal is to uncover mechanisms behind metabolic memory and heterogeneity in response to GLP-1RA therapy to improve long-term outcomes for patients. The research combines physiologic measurements, pharmacodynamics, and molecular analyses to understand who benefits most and why.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could guide longer-lasting obesity treatments and personalized strategies to prevent weight regain after GLP-1RA therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows weight loss with GLP-1RA but weight regain is common; this study narrows in on mechanisms to explain and mitigate that regain.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gutierrez, Absalon Dennis — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Gutierrez, Absalon Dennis
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how GLP-1 drugs affect energy use in brittle diabetes
This grant looks at how GLP-1 receptor drugs change how the body handles sugar and fats, beyond lowering blood sugar or appetite, to help people with brittle diabetes.
-
GLP-1 receptor drugs and heart-brain health in diabetes and Alzheimer’s risk
A Duke-led study will explore how GLP-1 receptor medicines and exercise affect brain and heart health in models prone to diabetes and Alzheimer’s risk.
-
GLP-1 medicines to improve heart, kidney, and metabolic health for people with HIV and type 2 diabetes
A real-world study will look at how GLP-1 receptor agonists affect heart and kidney health and lifetime costs for people living with HIV and type 2 diabetes.
-
Lifestyle plan to protect muscle and heart health for adults with obesity using GLP-1 medications
A real-world trial tests a combined nutrition and resistance-training program versus standard care for adults starting GLP-1 weight loss drugs to preserve lean mass and cardiovascular health.
-
Pre-pregnancy GLP-1 Medication Use and Stopping It: Effects on Blood Sugar and Pregnancy Outcomes
This project looks at how using GLP-1–based weight loss medicine before pregnancy and stopping it before trying to conceive affects blood sugar and pregnancy health.
-
Ways to keep weight off after stopping GLP-1 weight-loss meds
This project tests simple strategies to help adults who have obesity keep weight off after stopping high-dose GLP-1 medicines.
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.