Understanding how the brain controls thirst and hunger
Parsing the central control of thirst and hunger using a rat model of diabetes insipidus
['FUNDING_R01'] · STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO · NIH-11115645
This project aims to better understand how our brains manage thirst and hunger, which are vital for staying healthy.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (AMHERST, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11115645 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Our bodies need to balance food and water intake to stay healthy, but sometimes these systems don't work correctly, leading to issues like obesity or dehydration. The brain circuits that control thirst and hunger are complex and often overlap, making it hard to understand them separately. This project uses a special type of rat that has a condition similar to human diabetes insipidus to help untangle these brain signals. By studying these rats, we hope to learn more about how the brain regulates both drinking and eating behaviors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to patients with conditions involving imbalances in thirst, hunger, fluid regulation, or energy balance, such as diabetes insipidus, obesity, or chronic dehydration.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical interventions would not directly benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a deeper understanding of conditions like obesity, malnutrition, dehydration, and high blood pressure, potentially guiding new treatment approaches.
How similar studies have performed: This project takes a novel approach by using a specific rat model to separate intertwined brain signals, building on existing knowledge of neural circuits.
Where this research is happening
AMHERST, UNITED STATES
- STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO — AMHERST, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: DANIELS, DEREK — STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO
- Study coordinator: DANIELS, DEREK
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.