NIH-funded research P01 program project

Understanding how the brain and immune system interact during food allergies

Official title: Project 2: Neuroimmune Interaction Mechanisms in Food Allergy

Funded at Food Allergy Science Initiative, INC. · NIH-11088826 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how our immune system and nervous system work together when we have food allergies, and it hopes to find new ways to help people manage their allergic reactions better.

Quick facts

Grant typeP01 program project
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionFood Allergy Science Initiative, INC.
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cambridge, United States)
Project startMay 14, 2024
Project endApril 30, 2029
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$593,250
NIH project number5P01AI179273-02
Project IDNIH-11088826 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with diagnosed food allergies, particularly those who experience severe allergic reactions.

Less likely to help

Patients without food allergies or those who do not experience significant allergic reactions may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the complex interactions between the immune system and the nervous system in response to food allergens. By utilizing advanced techniques such as optogenetics and in vivo imaging, the study aims to identify the specific neural circuits activated during allergic reactions and how these circuits influence physiological and behavioral responses. Patients may benefit from insights into how their bodies react to allergens, potentially leading to new therapeutic approaches for managing food allergies.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve the management of food allergies and reduce the severity of allergic reactions.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding neuroimmune interactions, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights into food allergy mechanisms.

Where this research is happening

  • Food Allergy Science Initiative, INC.
    Cambridge, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Liberles, Stephen Daniel — Food Allergy Science Initiative, INC.
  • Study coordinator: Liberles, Stephen Daniel

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • New Horizons in preventing and treating food allergy

    A Johns Hopkins-led effort aims to advance how we prevent and treat food allergies across all ages by coordinating high-quality studies and developing better therapies.

    NIH research Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, United States · NIH-11600582

  • New Horizons in Food Allergy Prevention and Treatment

    A large, multi-site program at Johns Hopkins aims to advance prevention and treatment of food allergies across all ages.

    NIH research Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, United States · NIH-11580809

  • Food allergy outcomes by race/ethnicity from infancy through adolescence

    This study follows children with food allergies over time to understand how race and ethnicity relate to allergy management, outcomes, and quality of life.

    NIH research Northwestern University · Chicago, United States · NIH-11579222

  • Gut-brain links in food allergy responses

    A research grant is exploring how signals between the gut and brain drive dangerous reactions to foods, with the goal of helping people with food allergies.

    NIH research Yale University · New Haven, United States · NIH-11551492

  • Targeting gut microbes to restore food-tolerance in adults

    Aims to understand how gut bacteria and the lining of the gut interact to keep people with food allergies tolerant to what they eat.

    NIH research Boston Children's Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11551491

  • Environment and early-life exposures shaping food allergy in children

    This grant looks at how a child’s first year and their home environment may influence whether they develop food allergies, focusing on indoor exposures and microbes.

    NIH research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, United States · NIH-11450430

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.