# The Effects of Chronic Manipulation of Proopiomelanocortin Neurons in Animal Models

> **NIH NIH F30** · COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $48,474

## Abstract

Project Summary
This proposal seeks to train a dual degree, DVM-PhD, student to prepare her for success in a career as an
independent clinician-scientist. The applicant will earn a PhD in Biomedical Sciences while simultaneously
earning a DVM. The proposed research seeks to determine whether proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in
the hypothalamus are a viable target for potential therapies for disorders of energy balance regulation,
including obesity and eating disorders. Given that 35-40% of people in the US are obese and 2-5% suffer from
eating disorders, it is critically important that we better understand how the brain regulates energy
homeostasis. The long-term objective of this proposal is to determine whether chronic manipulation of
hypothalamic POMC neurons will correct disturbances in food intake and bodyweight in animal models of
energy balance disorders. The following specific aims will be addressed: 1) Determine the impact of chronically
stimulating POMC neurons in an animal model of obesity. 2) Determine the impact of chronically inhibiting
POMC neurons in an animal model of anorexia. Chronic stimulation of POMC neurons in mice fed an
obesogenic diet (Aim 1) and chronic inhibition of POMC neurons in mice undergoing the activity-based
anorexia behavioral assay (Aim 2) will be achieved using chemogenetic (Designer Receptors Exclusively
Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADD)) technology. Adeno-associated virus technology will be used to
deliver either stimulatory hM3Dq (Aim 1) or inhibitory hM4Di (Aim 2) DREADDs specifically to POMC neurons
in the hypothalamus. Clozapine-n-oxide, an inert ligand that only activates DREADDs, will be administered to
mice in discrete boluses via implantable, programmable microinfusion pumps. In addition to monitoring
physiological endpoints such as bodyweight and food intake, RNAscope will be used to determine the degree
of POMC neuron activation or inhibition. Immunohistochemistry will be used to verify adequate DREADD
expression in POMC neurons. Altogether, this research proposal will determine whether chronic manipulation
of POMC neurons will correct the food intake and bodyweight disturbances observed in rodent models of
obesity and anorexia. In addition, the results of this proposal will be of value for future studies aimed at
developing therapies for energy balance disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10425218
- **Project number:** 5F30DK117530-04
- **Recipient organization:** COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Caitlin Daimon
- **Activity code:** F30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $48,474
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10425218

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10425218, The Effects of Chronic Manipulation of Proopiomelanocortin Neurons in Animal Models (5F30DK117530-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10425218. Licensed CC0.

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