# Neural Dynamics Underlying Feeding

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2022 · $509,757

## Abstract

Project Summary
This proposal investigates the mechanisms that control satiation. This is a fundamental problem in physiology
and also has relevance to obesity, because meal size is an important determinant of overall food intake. The
caudal nucleus of the solitary tract (cNTS) contains key neural circuits for meal termination. These circuits
integrate input from vagal afferents innervating the abdominal viscera as well as circulating hormonal and
nutrient signals in order to trigger the termination of feeding. While cNTS cell types have long been studied
using a variety of approaches, their natural activity patterns during behavior are almost completely unknown.
Addressing this knowledge gap would reveal the nature of the key signals that regulate cNTS neurons during
normal feeding, how these signals are integrated in specific cell types, and how they evolve during the course
of a meal. In preliminary studies, we developed methods to record the activity of cNTS neurons in freely
behaving mice and characterized their dynamics during feeding and in response to a variety of visceral stimuli.
Here we propose to build on these findings to systematically dissect the signals that regulate cNTS satiety
circuits in vivo. In Aims 1 and 2, we manipulate inputs at various stages of the GI tract and measure how this
alters cNTS dynamics during feeding. In Aim 3, we use targeted optogenetic manipulations to boost or block
elements of the natural activity patterns of these neurons and measure how this alters food intake and meal
microstructure. Together, these experiments will reveal how the caudal brainstem dynamically integrates
diverse inputs to enable the moment-by-moment control of feeding behavior.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10454079
- **Project number:** 2R01DK106399-07
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Zachary A. Knight
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $509,757
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2015-09-20 → 2027-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10454079

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10454079, Neural Dynamics Underlying Feeding (2R01DK106399-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10454079. Licensed CC0.

---

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