CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

THE HIPPOCAMPUS AND THE MEMORY OF A MEAL

We hypothesize that hippocampal neurons form a memory of a meal and inhibit future intake, both in terms of delaying the initiation of the next meal and limiting the amount consumed during that meal.
Our findings indicate that manipulations that specifically impair hippocampal function after a meal, such as optogenetic inhibition of principal hippocampal neurons, increase future energy intake when the neurons are no longer disrupted. Additionaly, using methods such as fluorescence in situ hybridization, Western blot, RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry we have shown that ingestion activates the molecular and biochemical events in the hippocampus required for synaptic plasticity and memory.

OBESITY IS A VICIOUS CYCLE

We are interested in the bidirectional relationship between memory and eating behavior. Overconsumption of foods rich in fat and sugar impair hippocampal function, which in turn, leads to more overeating.

OBESITY AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Obesity increases the risk and severity of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) pathology. Efforts are needed to understand mechanisms underlying AD risk factors and to identify ways in which to treat AD before irreversible neuronal loss occurs. In our lab we aim to investigate the mechanisms through which obesity impacts AD pathology in the early phases of AD.

HEART FAILURE, MOOD AND MEMORY

In human patients, heart failure (HF) is comorbid with mood and memory disorders. In collaboration with Dr. Javier Stern’s lab, we investigate the impact of HF on mood and memory in rodent models and the mechanisms through which HF impacts these processes.

AVOIDANT/RESTRICTIVE FOOD INTAKE DISORDER (ARFID)

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is observed in approximately 5% of children and is associated with serious medical and developmental outcomes. A significant percentage of patients diagnosed with ARFID present with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD appears to promote food avoidance by producing a fear of food based on learned associations between food and pain and sickness. These conditioned food aversions, in turn, are assumed to be a major cause of the significant nutritional deficiencies, dependence on enteral feeding or oral nutritional supplements and impaired psychosocial functioning that are the diagnostic hallmarks of ARFID. We aim to investigate the neurobiology of ARFID.