Understanding how hunger and pleasure signals in the brain lead to overeating and weight gain
Official title: Unraveling the homeostatic and hedonic circuits underlying feeding behavior and obesity
Funded at Monell Chemical Senses Center · NIH-11128714 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how our brain's hunger signals and pleasure responses to food work together, helping us understand why some people overeat and gain weight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Monell Chemical Senses Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $449,462 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK131558-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11128714 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is relevant to adults aged 21 and older who are interested in the biological causes of obesity and weight gain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention for obesity would not directly benefit from this basic science research.
What this research studies
We know that overeating comes from both our body's need for nutrients (hunger) and the pleasure we get from food. While these systems are often thought of as separate, we believe they interact in important ways. This project aims to discover the specific brain connections between hunger-sensing neurons and pleasure-sensing neurons that respond to food. By understanding these connections, we hope to learn why certain individuals are more prone to overeating and gaining weight.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to help people manage their weight by better understanding the brain mechanisms behind overeating.
How similar studies have gone: Previous findings in animal models have shown interactions between hunger and pleasure systems, and this work aims to further define these specific brain circuits.
Where this research is happening
-
Monell Chemical Senses Center
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alhadeff, Amber L — Monell Chemical Senses Center
- Study coordinator: Alhadeff, Amber L
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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.