Understanding how lactation affects eating behavior and energy intake
Official title: Neural circuitry mediating lactation-induced hyperphagia
Funded at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-11063190 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how certain brain circuits help new mothers eat more during breastfeeding, which is important for their health and their baby's health, and it uses mice to learn more about how these processes work.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $490,804 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD113522-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11063190 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are mothers who are currently lactating or have recently given birth, particularly those experiencing challenges with appetite or weight management.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently lactating or who do not have a history of metabolic or psychiatric disorders related to energy intake may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural circuits that control food intake during lactation, a critical period when mothers need to significantly increase their energy consumption. By studying how these circuits function in mice, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms that lead to increased appetite and energy intake during lactation. The findings could help identify how disruptions in these processes might lead to health issues for both mothers and their children. The approach includes examining the brain's hunger and satiety signals to understand their changes during lactation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and management of eating behaviors and metabolic health in mothers and children during and after lactation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding feeding behaviors and neural circuitry in animal models, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sweeney, Patrick — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Sweeney, Patrick
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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.