Understanding how leptin controls body weight
Molecular and Neural Mechanisms of Leptin Action
This research aims to understand how a hormone called leptin works in the brain to control body weight, which could help us find new ways to treat obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11118894 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Obesity is a major health concern, and we still need a better understanding of how our bodies manage energy to develop effective treatments. This project focuses on leptin, a hormone that acts on specific brain cells in the hypothalamus to regulate how much we eat and how our bodies use energy. By studying these brain cells and how leptin affects them, we hope to uncover new targets for therapies that could help people manage their weight. We are using advanced techniques to identify different groups of these brain cells and learn more about their roles in energy balance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients at this time, but future clinical applications would likely target adults living with obesity.
Not a fit: Patients not living with obesity or related metabolic conditions may not directly benefit from the outcomes of this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of new medications or strategies to prevent and treat obesity and related conditions like diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: This project builds upon previous successful studies by the same research team, which have already identified important roles for specific brain cells in energy balance.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Myers, Martin G — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Myers, Martin G
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 below.