Zan Mohsin
Pronouns: He/Him
Research Mentor(s): Paula Goforth
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Pharmacology / Medicine
Program:
Authors: Zan Mohsin, Claudia Saveski, Paula Goforth
Session: Session 2: 10:00 am – 10:50 am
Poster: 2
Abstract
There are a variety of neuropeptide hormones and enzymes which impact appetite, satiety, energy expenditure, and metabolism. Specifically, the neuropeptide hypocretin, commonly referred to as orexin (OX), has a range of physiologic and behavioral functions throughout the brain. Orexin is known to play a role in attention and motivation, but also functions to control food intake and energy balance in mammals. The impact of orexin signaling on food intake and energy balance is complex Orexin not only increases food intake in response to hypoglycemia, but also promotes expenditure of energy in an attempt to prevent obesity. Orexin signaling has also been shown to promote reward seeking. Orexin acts at two receptors, orexin receptors 1 and 2, OX1R and OX2R, which are widely and differentially distributed throughout the brain. There is ongoing research into the function of the OXR pathways, and the effects on feeding behaviors and reward processes. In these studies, we examine, the role of OX1R-expresing neurons in the anterior paraventricular thalamus (aPVT). The PVT receives dense innervation from orexin neurons and is implicated in food intake and reward seeking. We use designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs), to specifically manipulate OX1R neurons in the aPVT to examine the effect of their activation on chow and high fat diet food intake. By studying whether certain behaviors are exhibited during activation or silencing of OX1R neurons in the anterior aPVT, we can gain insight into the role of OX-regulated circuits involved in feeding and reward processes, opening opportunities for further research and understanding on orexin and motivated behaviors.
