# Hypothalmic Circuits Regulating Energy Balance and Obesity: Synaptic Physiology

> **NIH NIH R01** · WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $311,992

## Abstract

Project Summary
According to the CDC more that 35% of U.S. adults and 20% of U.S. children are obese and therefore are at
risk of life-threatening diseases including diabetes, stroke, heart disease and cancers. Further, obesity has
huge economic consequences in medical care and lost wages. Studies on obesity clearly indicate important
roles for hypothalamic POMC neurons in regulating aspects of energy homeostasis. These neurons have been
traditionally considered to respond to post-prandial cues and maintain energy balance over protracted
timescales. However, recent work from our lab and others indicate that these neurons release many
transmitters and can respond and act more quickly than previously appreciated. The overall goals of this
proposal are to determine how food intake and activation of these neurons changes the short-term response to
food intake and alters food intake at the next meal. Specifically, we aim to learn how eating patterns might play
into energy balance regulation as this is something people could readily optimize with the appropriate
knowledge. We will determine the frequency with which POMC neurons can be stimulated to best reduce food
intake and will determine how the activity of POMC neurons is regulated in a meal-to-meal fashion. Since
POMC neuron activation usually leads to the reduction of food intake or termination of a meal, we will examine
the timing between meals that yields the smallest meal size for a subsequent meal. Ultimately, the studies
stand to provide mechanistic insight into the reported efficacy of intermittent fasting and may provide insight
into the most beneficial timing of meals for weight loss.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10651471
- **Project number:** 7R01DK078749-15
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** SHANE T HENTGES
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $311,992
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2022-06-22 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10651471

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10651471, Hypothalmic Circuits Regulating Energy Balance and Obesity: Synaptic Physiology (7R01DK078749-15). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10651471. Licensed CC0.

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