Understanding how the gut senses sugar and communicates with the brain
Official title: Rapid sugar sensing from gut to brain
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10794278 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special cells in your gut sense sugar and affect your hunger, and it aims to find out if a certain diabetes medication can help these cells work without needing sugar, which could lead to new ways to help people with obesity and diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $41,074 |
| NIH project number | 5F30DK136229-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10794278 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults who struggle with sugar overconsumption or related metabolic disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume sugar or have no issues with sugar metabolism may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how specialized cells in the gut, called neuropod cells, detect sugar and influence appetite. By using a specific anti-diabetic molecule, the study aims to determine whether sugar sensing alone can activate these cells without the need for sugar transport. The research employs advanced techniques, including neurogenetic manipulations and electrophysiology, to explore the gut-brain connection and its role in sugar consumption. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatments for obesity and diabetes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for controlling sugar intake and preventing obesity and diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding gut-brain interactions, but this specific approach using neuropod cells is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alway, Emily Jean — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Alway, Emily Jean
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Investigating genetic factors in Lewy body diseases
This study is looking at how changes in a specific gene might play a role in conditions like Parkinson's disease and dementia, so that people can better understand how their genetics affect their health and possibly find more tailored treatments.
-
Targeting the PAX3-FOXO1 protein in a deadly childhood cancer
This study is looking at a specific protein that helps a tough childhood cancer called alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, with the goal of finding new ways to treat kids who have this illness.
-
Improving population health by studying reproduction and development
This study is looking at how different things in our environment can impact pregnancy and the health of babies, and it’s for people who are planning to have children or are already parents, as it aims to help improve understanding and outcomes for everyone involved.
-
Modeling axon degeneration in C. elegans to help ALS patients
Researchers are using a tiny worm model to uncover how axons break down, which could point to new ways to help people with ALS and related nerve diseases.
-
Induced Suppression of Platelet Activity in Aneurysmal SAH Management
A new approach tests whether carefully reducing platelet activity can improve outcomes after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
-
AI-enhanced virtual reality tool to support remote emergency brain surgery training in Tanzania
A new AI-powered virtual reality tool helps non-experts in low-resource areas get real-time remote guidance for emergency traumatic brain injury surgery.
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.