Understanding how the brain and stomach communicate through spinal pathways
Spinal Sensory Ganglia and Gut Sensation
This study is looking at how the brain and stomach talk to each other and how that might affect our feelings and thoughts, which could help find new ways to treat emotional issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10928708 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the communication between the brain and stomach via spinal sensory pathways, which may play a role in emotional and cognitive processing. The study aims to explore the anatomy and function of gut-innervating spinal sensory ganglia and how they influence brain functions related to reward behaviors. Using advanced techniques like optogenetics and in vivo electrophysiology in awake mice, the researchers will analyze how gastrointestinal stimuli are signaled to the brain. The findings could lead to new therapeutic targets for treating emotional and psychosocial disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing emotional and cognitive disorders, particularly those related to gastrointestinal issues.
Not a fit: Patients with purely physical ailments unrelated to emotional or cognitive processing may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new insights and treatment options for patients suffering from emotional and psychosocial disorders linked to gut-brain communication.
How similar studies have performed: While the gut-brain axis has been studied extensively, the specific focus on spinal sensory pathways is relatively novel, indicating a potential for groundbreaking findings.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Araujo, Ivan E — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: De Araujo, Ivan E
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.