# Thermoregulatory circuits that regulate feeding

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2022 · $525,612

## Abstract

Project Summary
The thermoregulatory and energy homeostasis systems are tightly coupled to ensure the stability of both core
temperature and body fat stores across a wide range of environmental temperatures. This interaction is
highlighted by the adaptive metabolic response to cold exposure, as the increase of heat production needed to
maintain core temperature is accompanied by a proportionate increase in energy intake to maintain body fat
stress. These adaptive responses are rapid and robust and our recent findings implicate a role for agouti-
related peptide (Agrp) neurons in the adaptive feeding response since Agrp neurons are activated during cold-
exposure, and this activation is required for cold-induced hyperphagia, but not cold-induced thermogenic
responses. The overarching goal of the proposal is to identify the neurocircuitry linking thermoregulation to
control of Agrp neuronal activity and associated feeding responses. Proposed studies seek 1) to examine the
temporal relationship between changes in ambient temperature, Agrp neuron activity and associated feeding
responses and 2) to identify and characterize neurocircuits that link thermoregulation to cold-induced
hyperphagia. To accomplish this, state-of-the-art neuroscience techniques including chemogenetics,
optogenetics and fiber photometry systems approaches are utilized, in combination with immunohistochemical
and advanced metabolic phenotyping. Together, this work will advance the understanding of the neurocircuitry
linking thermoregulation to Agrp neurons and feeding and may identify novel strategies for the treatment of
obesity by blunting the associated hyperphagic response.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10400898
- **Project number:** 5R01DK124238-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** GREGORY J MORTON
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $525,612
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-08-15 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10400898

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10400898, Thermoregulatory circuits that regulate feeding (5R01DK124238-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10400898. Licensed CC0.

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