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Content archived on 2024-06-18

An Intelligent Implantable MOdulator of Vagus nervE function for treatment of Obesity

Objective

Obesity is one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century. Affecting over half a billion people worldwide, it increases the risk of stroke, ischaemic heart disease, diabetes, many cancers, depression and complications in pregnancy. Bariatric surgery is currently the only effective treatment available but is associated with significant risks of mortality and long-term complications. New and innovative treatments are thus required.
The signals to and from the gut during eating and digestion are passed through the vagus nerve. Despite this, our knowledge of vagus nerve function comes from studies in which the nerve is cut. This fails to provide any impression of the complex signal received by appetite centres in the brain.
We propose to use obesity as a paradigm for development of a new generation of neural interface that will combine novel electrode materials, structures and sensing modalities with ultra-low power electronic neural recording, analysis, stimulation and wireless communication. Several steps beyond state-of-the-art, this will allow, for the first time, detailed study of the entirety of vagus nerve function. We will develop neural stimulation that mimics the response of the vagus nerve to ingestion of food, thus providing a new treatment for obesity.
The synergy between our groups will thus combine complementary interests to develop an innovative technological solution for a major public health crisis. The sensing capability will deliver, for the first time, real-time and long-term recordings, providing new insights into peripheral nerve activity. The impact will thus extend beyond appetite and the vagus to many other neurally regulated processes and diseases.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

ERC-2012-SyG
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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

ERC-SyG - Synergy grant

Host institution

IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE
EU contribution
€ 7 175 339,00
Address
SOUTH KENSINGTON CAMPUS EXHIBITION ROAD
SW7 2AZ LONDON
United Kingdom

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Region
London Inner London — West Westminster
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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No data

Beneficiaries (1)

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