# Neuropeptide modulation of predictive regulation via chemogenetic and optogenetc control

> **NIH NIH R01** · MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $341,777

## Abstract

In today's obesogenic environment many individuals struggle to regulate caloric
intake, which leads to obesity and associated comorbidities (e.g., hypertension, diabetes). The exposure to
endogenous (e.g., gustatory cues) and exogenous (e.g., environmental food-paired cues) signals
associated with meal intake can, through learning, influence both the regulation and dysregulation of
appetite control. As obesity rates continue to rise, there is a critical need to develop effective strategies to
combat this epidemic. This includes the elucidation of neurobiological and psychological variables
underlying the learned effects that influence eating behaviors. To this end, I propose that the lateral
hypothalamus (LH) feeding signal Melanin Concentrating Hormone (MCH) acts as a modulator of predictive
regulation and gates associations between anticipatory food cues and reward signals. In doing so, I
anticipate that LH MCH neurons will modulate the regulation of blood glucose, and the disruption to appetite
control that follows either exposure to intense artificial sweeteners, or environmental cues associated with
food. Thus, the proposed research will significantly advance understanding of the psychobiological variables
that contribute to: metabolic regulation, weight gain, obesity and metabolic disorders (e.g., diabetes). In the
proposed research, I will combine DREADD and optogenetic techniques with sophisticated behavioral and
ingestive learning approaches in mice to address two specific aims. In Aim 1, I will examine LH MCH
modulation over cephalic responding and the detrimental influences over glucoregulation that occur
following prolonged artificial sweetener consumption. In Aim 2, I will examine the psychological mechanisms
and neurobiological circuitry underlying LH MCH modulation of overeating in response to environmental
food-paired cues.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10109113
- **Project number:** 5R01DK111475-05
- **Recipient organization:** MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Alexander W. Johnson
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $341,777
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-03-06 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10109113

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10109113, Neuropeptide modulation of predictive regulation via chemogenetic and optogenetc control (5R01DK111475-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10109113. Licensed CC0.

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