Using genetic scores to better predict how weight loss changes metabolic risk
Official title: Using polygenic scores to improve the prediction of weight loss-associated changes in metabolic risk
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11341635 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to see if genetic information can help predict who will have bigger health benefits from weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes or related metabolic issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 8, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $842,732 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK147322-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11341635 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with obesity and metabolic risk factors who may benefit from weight loss interventions could participate.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals unlikely to experience metabolic improvements from weight loss or who do not provide relevant genetic or health data may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how people respond differently to weight loss by using pathway-specific polygenic scores, which summarize genetic influences on biology. Researchers will analyze large health datasets to find interactions between genetic scores and body weight changes that affect metabolic risk factors like glucose and lipids. They will build a catalog of these interactions and test them across multiple biobanks to understand the biology behind personalized weight-loss responses. The aim is to create more powerful predictors of who benefits most from weight loss interventions, guiding future clinical decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to personalized weight-loss strategies that maximize metabolic health benefits for individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show genetics can influence metabolic responses, but this project expands to pathway-specific scores and large-scale replication, which is relatively novel but builds on existing findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Westerman, Kenneth E — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Westerman, Kenneth E
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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.