Understanding how specific brain cells influence food-seeking behavior
Official title: GABAergic Cells in the Periaqueductal Gray Region Control Food-Seeking
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11076324 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells help control our desire to find and eat food, which could lead to better treatments for eating disorders like binge-eating and anorexia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | April 19, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $546,193 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK139605-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11076324 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing eating disorders such as binge-eating disorder or anorexia, as well as those struggling with obesity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with eating disorders not related to the neural mechanisms being studied, or those without significant feeding behavior abnormalities, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of GABAergic cells in the periaqueductal gray region of the brain and how they control food-seeking behaviors. By using advanced techniques to record neural activity, the study aims to uncover how these brain cells respond to food sources and influence actions related to eating. The research combines neural recording, computational methods, and molecular tools to explore the connections between brain activity and feeding behaviors, which could lead to new treatment options for eating disorders. Patients may benefit from insights gained into the neural mechanisms underlying conditions like binge-eating disorder and anorexia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to novel treatments for eating disorders and obesity by targeting specific brain circuits involved in feeding behavior.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the neural circuits involved in feeding behaviors, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Adhikari, Avishek — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Adhikari, Avishek
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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.