# The Role of Early Life Stress in Feeding Behaviors

> **NIH NIH P20** · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · 2024 · $251,665

## Abstract

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) affect the development of the nervous system, leading to abnormal 
brain function which may affect emotion and self-control. Obesity is an important co-morbidity of NDDs and 
are thought to arise from the impairment of important feeding-relevant circuits. Early life stress (ELS) can 
remodel feeding relevant circuits and contribute to obesity, yet the underlying mechanisms driving these 
changes are unknown. The current project aims to provide a link between early life stress and obesity. Our 
preliminary data show that in adult rodents, chemogenetic inhibition of neurotensin-expressing neurons in 
the lateral septum (LSNTS) increases standard chow intake. When exposed to HFD, silencing of LSNTS 
neurons increase HFD intake and accelerates obesity. Interestingly, LSNTS neurons respond to stressful but 
also to rewarding stimuli (i.e. HFD) and are key to the brain circuitry regulating feeding behavior. 
Additionally, ELS has been shown to alter neuronal activity in the LS and affect motivated behaviors, such 
as social interaction. We will extend these preliminary data to test the hypothesis that ELS reprograms 
LSNTS neurons activity downregulating important molecular pathways, ultimately impacting feeding 
behavior. In Aim 1, we will employ in vivo calcium imaging to monitor changes in the activity of LSNTS 
neurons to better understand how ELS alters LSNTS neuronal encoding of rewarding information and how 
these changes impact binge eating behavior and HFD consumption. In Aim 2, we will use cell type-specific 
molecular profiling (viralTRAP) and next-generation sequencing to molecularly profile LSNTS neurons in ELS 
and control mice to assess which specific gene transcripts are altered by ELS. Together, our study will 
clarify how ELS contributes to obesity by affecting feeding-relevant specific circuits in the brain. The project 
will benefit from the CNDD cores for behavioral assays, in vivo imaging, bioinformatics approaches, and 
advanced biostatistical consulting. The career development and mentorship will help the PI obtain future 
NIH R01 funding to facilitate the transition to an established investigator in the field of 
neurodevelopment and its disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10978190
- **Project number:** 5P20GM148302-02
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
- **Principal Investigator:** Estefania Pereira Cardoso Azevedo
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $251,665
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-29 → 2028-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10978190

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10978190, The Role of Early Life Stress in Feeding Behaviors (5P20GM148302-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10978190. Licensed CC0.

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