Neuroendocrine Control of Energy Balance
Our laboratory’s overarching goal seeks to understand the neuroendocrine systems regulating energy balance and motivated behaviors. Using multiple approaches from the cell to the whole organism and extensively examine the role of various neuroendocrine signaling systems (e.g., GLP-1, leptin, amylin, CCK, serotonin, glutamate, and dopamine) in peripheral and central control of food intake and body weight regulation.
Overall, our research program takes a novel systems-neuroscience approach aimed at enhancing the development of realistic pharmacological-based therapeutics to treat obesity and associated comorbidities (e.g. obesity, eating disorders, diabetes, drug addiction and nausea / malaise).
Hindbrain octadecaneuropeptide gliotransmission as a therapeutic target for energy balance control without nausea or emesis
Octadecaneuropeptide (ODN) is an anorexigenic peptide synthesized by glia in the hindbrain. Geisler et al. show that, in preclinical in vivo models, ODN improves glucose homeostasis and dose dependently reduces food intake without inducing nausea or vomiting. Similar beneficial results were observed through peripheral administration of a truncated version of ODN called TDN. This study indicates that ODN derivatives may be valuable for targeting weight and glycemic control without eliciting the common treatment side effects seen with GLP-1 receptor agonists