Researchers aim to ‘fool’ the body into thinking it has eaten

Called the i2MOVE project, the target is to develop a device which stimulates the vagus nerve, 'fooling' the body into believing it has ingested food. Professors Chris Toumazou and Sir Stephen Bloom said: "Our respective expertise in electrical and electronic engineering, as well as in obesity, diabetes and endocrinology, are truly complementary. By joining forces, we will contribute to develop a novel treatment to cure obesity." More than 23% of adult EU citizens are obese and the resulting health costs were estimated at €10billion in 2010. The researchers believe electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve could be efficient when combined with intelligent recording. The Synergy Grant, the researchers will combine new physiological knowledge with engineering technology, including implanted electrodes. This 'intelligent' implant would record vagal signals associated with hormone release during eating and would stimulate the nerve to modulate these signals in order to better regulate appetite.