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).
Tirzepatide suppresses palatable food intake by selectively reducing preference for fat in rodents
In collaboration with Eli Lilly, we showed that the dual GLP-1/GIP agonist Tirzepatide robustly decreases preference for palatable foods by selectively decreasing lipid consumption. Our preclinical findings highlight that promoting healthier food options may contribute to the weight-loss success of therapeutic Tirzepatide use for patients.