Understanding how gut neurons control digestion
Official title: Genetic Analysis of Intrinsic Sensory Neuron Function in the Enteric Neural Circuits
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11053612 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at special nerve cells in your gut that help control how food moves through your digestive system, and it aims to find out how these cells can help us understand and treat digestive issues better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | April 20, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $598,796 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK134773-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11053612 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from gastrointestinal disorders that may involve dysregulation of gut motility or sensory processing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-gastrointestinal conditions or those without any digestive issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of intrinsic primary sensory neurons (IPANs) in the enteric nervous system, which is often referred to as the 'second brain' of the gut. The study aims to uncover how these neurons detect physical and chemical signals in the gastrointestinal tract and how they influence the movement of food through the colon. By developing new tools to selectively manipulate these neurons, researchers hope to clarify their functions in muscle coordination, immune response, and maintaining gut health. This could lead to a better understanding of digestive disorders and potential new treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for gastrointestinal disorders by enhancing our understanding of gut neuron functions.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on β-CGRP+ IPANs is novel, previous research has shown promise in understanding the enteric nervous system and its role in gastrointestinal health.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hu, Hongzhen — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Hu, Hongzhen
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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.