Unraveling neural, psychological, and physiological mechanisms of hunger and satiety in individuals with and without obesity immersed in virtual reality food stimuli

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases awarded $549,602 to University Enterprises Corporation at California State University, San Bernardino on May 1, 2026, under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847) to investigate neural, psychological, and physiological mechanisms of hunger and satiety in individuals with and without obesity using virtual reality food stimuli.

The research employs a multimodal approach integrating functional near-infrared spectroscopy, physiological and hormonal monitoring, and subjective hunger and satiety ratings within an immersive virtual reality environment. The study aims to assess within-subject neural, physiological, and hormonal responses to food stimuli in normal-weight individuals under hunger and satiety conditions, then apply the same protocol to individuals with obesity and compare their profiles to the control group. The intended outcome is to identify reliable neural, physiological, and biomarkers linked to central control of energy intake that could improve diagnosis and treatment of obesity and related eating disorders.

Work is performed in Verdemont, California. The period of performance runs from May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2029. The assistance type is Project Grant.

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.