Metabolic and Homeostatic Systems

Metabolic and Homeostatic Systems

The study of the brain and body processes that help maintain life, from neural energetics to feeding, and from biological rhythms to stress responses. Research in this area focuses on both circuit and whole organism processes, with a focus on understanding how the environment affects these processes, and how deficits in these systems contribute to obesity, diabetes, and other disorders of modern society.

Recent research in this area

1. Sirohi S, Schurdak JD, Seeley RJ, Benoit SC, Davis JF (2016). Central & peripheral glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor signaling differentially regulate addictive behaviors. Physiol Behav. 161:140-4. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.04.013. Epub 2016 Apr 9. PMID: 27072507
2. Szentirmai E, Kapás L, Sun Y, Smith RG, Krueger JM (2009). The preproghrelin gene is required for the normal integration of thermoregulation and sleep in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 106(33):14069-74. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0903090106. Epub 2009 Aug 4. PMCID: PMC2729021
3. McLaughlin, R.J., Hill, M.N., Gorzalka, B.B. (2014). A critical role for prefrontocortical endocannabinoid signaling in the regulation of stress and emotional behavior. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 42C, 116-131. PMID: 24582908
4. Darling RA, Zhao H, Kinch D, Li AJ, Simasko SM, Ritter S (2014). Mercaptoacetate and fatty acids exert direct and antagonistic effects on nodose neurons via GPR40 fatty acid receptors. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 307(1):R35-43. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00536.2013. Epub 2014 Apr 23. PMCID: PMC4152161
5. Walker BM, Valdez GR, McLaughlin JP and Bakalkin G (2012). Targeting dynorphin / kappa-opioid receptor systems to treat alcohol abuse and dependence. Alcohol 46, 4, 359-370. PMCID: PMC3396024
6. Kinlein S, Wilson CD, Savenkova M, Karatsoreos IN  (2015) Disruption of HPA axis leads to divergent neurobehavioral responses to stress. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 6:31. PMCID: PMC4358064

Faculty working in this area