# Responsive Neurostimulation for Loss of Control Eating

> **NIH NIH UH3** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $1,281,246

## Abstract

Project Abstract
Background/Description. Given our mutual interest in direct brain stimulation as an effective
treatment for non-adherent eating disorders associated with refractory obesity, our
multidisciplinary team at Stanford University has developed a collaboration with NeuroPace, Inc,
a company that recently received FDA approval for a responsive neurostimulator. We previously
found that electrically stimulating the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of mice attenuates binge-like
eating. In addition, increased power in low frequency oscillations appears to temporally correlate
with anticipation of food reward and predict the onset of a binge. There is increasing awareness
that obese individuals frequently lose control over food, which leads to binge-like eating. We
hypothesize that a responsive neurostimulator could be used to identify low frequency
oscillations that represent loss of control over eating and deliver responsive stimulation to the
NAc to prevent a binge. Objective. To test stimulation parameters and detection algorithms for
responsive neurostimulation in humans in an Early Feasibility Study. Methods. All needed
regulatory avenues will be pursued, and an Early Feasibility Study will be performed in human
subjects with refractory obesity due to loss of control eating. We will primarily assess device
function and safety, but will utilize multimodal controlled and ambulatory measures to test the
potential of this clinical program for LOC eating in obesity.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9892043
- **Project number:** 5UH3NS103446-02
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Casey Harrison Halpern
- **Activity code:** UH3 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,281,246
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-03-15 → 2021-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9892043

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9892043, Responsive Neurostimulation for Loss of Control Eating (5UH3NS103446-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9892043. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*