# Estrogenic modulation of neural circuits that control temperature

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2021 · $63,611

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The Research Supplement to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research to “Estrogenic Modulation of
Neural Circuits that Control Temperature” will support the doctoral research training and career
development of the candidate in the laboratory of Dr. Stephanie Correa. Estrogen withdrawal at
menopause is associated with a suite of metabolic, vascular, and neuroendocrine changes that impact
health and quality of life. The most specific symptoms associated with menopause are vasomotor
symptoms, which include hot flashes and night sweats. It is thought that vasomotor symptoms are
caused by fluctuating estrogen levels at the time of the menopausal transition. However, it is unclear how
these changes affect temperature regulation in the brain. Our published findings identify a
thermoregulatory role for neurons that express estrogen receptor alpha (ERa) in the medial preoptic area
(MPO) of the hypothalamus. We hypothesize that ERa signaling in the MPO modulates the activity of
thermoregulatory neural circuits. The candidate’s dissertation research will determine the dynamics of
estrogen responses and the transcriptional effects of estrogen signaling in thermoregulatory ERa+
neurons. The complementary training plan restructures the sequence of training activities required by the
doctoral program and supplements these activities with formal coursework to suit the career objectives of
the candidate. These tailored interventions will position the candidate to compete at the highest level and
ultimately establish a career as an aging researcher at a top research institution.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10429750
- **Project number:** 3R01AG066821-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** Stephanie Correa
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $63,611
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-09-30 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10429750

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10429750, Estrogenic modulation of neural circuits that control temperature (3R01AG066821-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10429750. Licensed CC0.

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