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Unraveling Neural, Psychological, and Physiological Mechanisms of Hunger and Satiety in Individuals With and Without Obesity Immersed in Virtual Reality Food Stimuli

Award Number: R15DK144851
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES & DIGESTIVE & KIDNEY DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/01/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2029

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Unraveling Neural, Psychological, and Physiological Mechanisms of Hunger and Satiety in Individuals With and Without Obesity Immersed in Virtual Reality Food Stimuli - ABSTRACT Obesity is a global health crisis linked to numerous comorbidities and a substantial economic burden. Traditional methods for investigating neural and physiological responses to food cues, especially in differing states of hunger and satiety, have yielded inconsistent findings, particularly in individuals with obesity. To address these gaps, this study employs an innovative, multi-modal approach that integrates functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), physiological and hormonal monitoring, and subjective hunger/satiety ratings within an immersive virtual reality (VR) environment. This design enables ecologically valid, state-dependent assessment of food cue reactivity in both normal-weight individuals and those with obesity. The long-term goal of this research is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of obesity and related eating disorders by identifying reliable neural, physiological, and biomarkers linked to central control of energy intake. The central objective is to determine how these multimodal responses differ by metabolic state (hunger vs. satiety) and weight status (normal-weight vs with obesity). Our central hypothesis is that each group will show distinct patterns of brain activation, particularly in regions involved in reward processing and cognitive control, alongside divergent autonomic and hormonal responses, reflecting altered mechanisms of energy intake regulation. This hypothesis will be tested through two specific aims: (1) to assess within-subject neural, physiological, and hormonal responses to food stimuli in normal-weight individuals under hunger and satiety; and (2) to apply the same protocol to individuals with obesity and compare their profiles to the control group. This study is significant in its potential to uncover biomarkers that differentiate healthy and disordered eating regulations, thereby guiding future intervention strategies. Additionally, the project will provide undergraduates at a Minority-Serving Institution with meaningful, hands-on experience in neuroimaging, psychophysiology, and translational health research, supporting their academic and professional development.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $549,602 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY ENTERPRISES CORPORATION AT CSUSB	5500 UNIVERSITY PKWY	SAN BERNARDINO	CA	92407	SAN BERNARDINO	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	1	4/27/2026	NEW	$549,602
														Subtotal = $549,602

Grand Total All Awards = $549,602

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Unraveling Neural, Psychological, and Physiological Mechanisms of Hunger and Satiety in Individuals With and Without Obesity Immersed in Virtual Reality Food Stimuli

Award Number: R15DK144851

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES & DIGESTIVE & KIDNEY DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/01/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2029

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