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NOBEL PRIZE 2026

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NIHNATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

Neural Mechanisms underlying Obesity-induced Taste Dysfunction

Active
Institution
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY AT CHICAGO, IL
Principal investigator
Hojoon Lee
Funding
$435K
Duration
2025–2027
Open portfolio

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Still being scored

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY A key driver of the obesity epidemic is the excessive consumption of highly palatable, calorie-rich foods. Obesity, in turn, leads to substantial alterations in taste sensitivity and food preferences, perpetuating the obese state. However, the neurobiological underpinnings of the interaction between obesity and taste sensation remain largely uncharted. The overall objective of this application is to determine how the brainstem neurons that convey taste information are impacted by obesity. To achieve this, we propose studies to identify obesity-dependent changes to taste neurons at the circuit-, cellular- and molecular-level. In the long-term, we envision that these studies will reveal platforms for therapeutic intervention aimed at disrupting the self-perpetuating cycle of overconsumption in obesity.

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NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERSR21Pathophysiology of Obesity and Metabolic Disease Study Section[POMD]tasteobesitysensationapplication determinekey driverobesity-inducedmolecular-leveldysfunction project

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