# Prefrontal Cortical Control of Food binging, Novelty Seeking and Impulsive Behavior

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · 2021 · $468,424

## Abstract

Abstract – The neuronal basis of diseases of disordered feeding, such as bulimia, anorexia and binge eating
disorder, is poorly understood. Dysfunction of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), however, has been
suggested to play a causative role, as altered mPFC activity correlates with changes in novelty seeking and
impulsivity in people with diseases of disordered feeding. Unfortunately, little is known about the
behavioral significance of neurons within the mPFC that regulate behavioral output. Recent evidence
suggests that two important interneuron subtypes that express either somatostatin (SST) or vasoactive
intestinal peptide (VIP) in conjunction with GABA is responsible for gating information flow within the cortex.
Specifically, while SST positive interneuron activation directly reduces pyramidal cell activity, VIP interneurons
produce the opposite effect by inhibiting SST interneurons, causing pyramidal neurons to experience
disinhibition and enhanced activity. Although this circuit is poised to contribute significantly to the regulation of
binge feeding, novelty seeking and the regulation of impulsivity, through the integration of intra- and extra-
cortical inputs, no studies have yet explored this possibility. Subsequently, this crucial knowledge gap presents
as a critical barrier to the field, as it limits our understanding of the neuronal basis behind the expression of
these behaviors. To better understand how changes in the VIP-SST interneuron circuit can lead to mPFC a
change in behavior, two fundamental questions need to be addressed: 1. What role do disinhibitory VIP
interneurons that increase excitatory tone in pyramidal neurons of the mPFC play in regulating binge
feeding, novelty seeking and impulsivity? 2. What role do SST interneurons that interact with VIP
neurons and specialize in inhibiting output from the mPFC play in regulating binge feeding, novelty
seeking and impulsivity? In Aim 1, we will determine whether VIP expressing interneurons are necessary
and sufficient to regulate binge food intake, novelty seeking and impulsivity. To test the sufficiency of these
neurons, we will excite the mPFC VIP neurons optogenetically in either the prelimbic or infralimbic cortex. To
examine the necessity of these neurons, we will deliver a caspase protein selectively to ablate the mPFC VIP
neurons in either the prelimbic or infralimbic cortex. Following excitation or ablation, we will examine the effect
of the manipulation on animal behavior. In Aim 2, we will repeat these same studies to excite or ablate SST
expressing neurons of the prelimbic and infralimbic cortex. In conclusion, our proposed work will significantly
enhance our understanding of how neurons that control frontal cortical excitation subsequently regulate
behaviors associated with diseases of disordered feeding and drug addiction.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10144858
- **Project number:** 5R01MH116694-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Michael Scott
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $468,424
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10144858

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10144858, Prefrontal Cortical Control of Food binging, Novelty Seeking and Impulsive Behavior (5R01MH116694-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10144858. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*