# The neural underpinnings of disinhibited eating behavior in adolescents with and without obesity

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · 2021 · $145,838

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Dr. Shapiro is an excellent candidate for the NIDDK Mentored Research Scientist Development Award.
Currently, she is transitioning from a postdoctoral research position in the NIMH-funded T32 program for
Developmental Psychobiology, Psychopathology and Behavior (MH015442-39A1) to faculty in the Department
of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado. She has a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics,
a Doctorate in Epidemiology, and an impressive publication and funding record.
The proposed research plan has two specific aims: 1) Determine the extent to which an energy surplus
stimulus alters neuronal response within, and functional connectivity between homeostatic and non-homeostatic
brain regions in adolescents with and without obesity; and 2) Determine the degree to which neuronal
connectivity between homeostatic and non-homeostatic brain regions is associated with disinhibited eating
behaviors among adolescents with and without obesity. Dr. Shapiro has designed an innovative study to address
these aims that will employ functional neuroimaging methodology (Aim 1) and a directly observed measure of
disinhibited eating behavior (Aim 2). She will test the overarching hypothesis that altered brain function in and
between homeostatic and non-homeostatic brain systems underlie disinhibited eating behaviors in adolescents,
and that this is most pronounced in adolescents with obesity.
The career development plan supports the research aims and Dr. Shapiro’s transition to independence
with training in 1) Functional neuroimaging methodology and analysis; and 2) Eating behaviors in youth: theory,
measurement and interpretation. Her mentors, Drs. Jason Tregellas (primary), Susan Johnson, Marc Cornier
(co-mentor) are recognized experts in the fields of neuroimaging, eating behaviors, and obesity, respectively.
Dr. Shapiro will also receive additional training with leading experts in the field of pediatric eating behaviors at
the Pennsylvania State University (collaborators).
The University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus will provide a rich training and research
environment for Dr. Shapiro to accomplish her short- and long-term research and career goals.
Specifically, the University of Colorado Brain Imaging Center, with its research-dedicated 3T MRI scanner
(Director: Tregellas), will be a significant resource for Dr. Shapiro’s current and future research efforts. Dr.
Shapiro also has the full backing of her department (Psychiatry) which will continue to provide her with protected
research time, a start-up package with significant research funds, office space, and equipment. Furthermore, Dr.
Shapiro will have access to The Children’s Eating Laboratory (Director: Johnson), a state-of-the-art laboratory
for collecting observational data for eating behaviors in pediatric groups.
This award will help to establish the foundation on which Dr. Shapiro will build her expertise as a leading
scientist in the study of the ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10084293
- **Project number:** 5K01DK120562-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- **Principal Investigator:** Allison Livia Buti Shapiro
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $145,838
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-01-15 → 2024-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10084293

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10084293, The neural underpinnings of disinhibited eating behavior in adolescents with and without obesity (5K01DK120562-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10084293. Licensed CC0.

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