The development of obesity is an intricate and multifaceted pathway that involves psychosocial environmental influences and behavior, altered neural connectivity, hormone signaling and microbiome perturbations.
We have recently shown that the brain gut microbiome axis plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of obesity, and other research has demonstrated that deviation from a core, lean gut microbiome profile is reflective of obesity.
This program will deepen our understanding of the role of brain gut microbiome interactions in the development of obesity, metabolic disorders and altered ingestive behaviors. Using a systems-biology approach, we can identify key nodes and drivers of obesity as well as biomarkers and potential targets for individualized treatments.
Program Lead
Arpana Gupta, PhD
Co-Director, Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center
Director, Neuroimaging Core, G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience
Ingestive Behavior and Obesity Program
Associate Professor
Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA