Research Description
Type 2 diabetes and obesity is a major health epidemic in the United States. A major cause of these diseases is high sugar consumption. However, the biological substrates that promote sugar intake are unclear. In this project, I will investigate how the body signals to the brain to decrease sugar preference. In particular, a hormone produced by the liver, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), acts on the brain to regulate sugar intake. Our lab has recently identified a specific neuron population that FGF21 acts on to reduce sugar consumption. In the proposed study, I will further characterize these neurons and assess how activating or inhibiting them alters sugar preference. I will also define what brain regions these neurons communicate with to reduce sugar appetite. Importantly, these experiments will shed light on how the brain controls sugar intake. This study may help us understand new ways to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity.Research Profile
What area of diabetes research does your project cover? What role will this particular project play in preventing, treating and/or curing diabetes?This project explores the central mechanisms in the brain which regulate appetite for specific macronutrients. Since overconsumption of sugar can lead to metabolic impairments, including type-2 diabetes, my research aims to understand how the brain controls sucrose preference. This work will provide insights for targeted therapies to reduce sugar intake to help treat type-2 diabetes and associated metabolic disorders.
If a person with diabetes were to ask you how your project will help them in the future, how would you respond?Energy comes from 3 macronutrients: carbohydrate (sugar), fat, and protein, and changes in macronutrient intake contribute to metabolic dysfunction. Consumption of sugar, in particular, is rewarding or “addictive” because a series of reward related pathways are activated to promote continued sucrose consumption. Excessive sugar intake can lead to metabolic disorders such as type-2 diabetes. Thus, this project is directed towards understanding how the brain controls sugar preference so that we can identify potential novel therapeutic targets to reduce sugar appetite.
Why important for you, personally, to become involved in diabetes research? What role will this award play?Obesity is a major health and economic burden worldwide. In the United States, 60% of adults are overweight and approximately 30% are considered obese. This is in part due to excessive sugar intake which leads to type-2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases. Since estimates show that obesity prevalence will continue to rise, I believe this is an extremely important area of research that will improve overall health. This award will support my research and training in the fields of systems neuroscience and metabolism.
In what direction do you see the future of diabetes research going?I believe that the future of diabetes research is headed towards a better understanding of the central nervous system pathways regulating nutrient and energy homeostasis. The brain is the master regulator of whole body homeostatic pathways and unlocking the mechanisms regulating these pathways will likely uncover new therapeutic strategies to effectively combat diabetes.