How do artificial sweeteners influence brain circuits that guide ingestive behavior, reward, and energy balance? Join The Obesity Society’s Neuroscience Section for an expert discussion that connects basic science, translational research, and clinical care. Panelists will explore mechanisms including taste and postoral signaling, the gut–brain axis, and developmental programming, and outline priorities for rigorous study design with real clinical relevance.

Featured panelists:

• Lindsey Schier, PhD — Associate Professor of Biological Sciences; expert in taste/postoral integration and ingestive behavior (gut–brain signaling, food learning and memory).
• Kathleen A. Page, MD — Associate Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics; Co-Chief, Endocrinology & Diabetes; clinician-scientist studying diet, obesity, diabetes, and brain responses to nutrients.
• Raylene Reimer De Bruyn, PhD, RD — Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology; nutrition and microbiome researcher translating preclinical and human studies on metabolic disease.
• Sébastien Bouret, PhD — Principal Investigator; investigates development of hypothalamic circuits and how environmental factors, including artificial sweeteners, program energy balance.