# Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Modulation of Hypothalamic Hormone Release

> **NIH NIH F30** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $9,514

## Abstract

Project Abstract
Hypothalamic hormones regulate multiple physiologies, and changes in their signaling to a variety of
pathologies including obesity, growth and metabolic abnormalities, and sexual dysfunction. Prominent
neuroendocrine pathways that regulate physiologies of metabolism, growth, and stress, all rely on
hypothalamic input for their control. Little is known about extra-hypothalamic inputs that control these
pathways. Towards this goal, we have discovered a novel projection from the basal forebrain cholinergic
system to the hypothalamus and median eminence. Furthermore, we have shown that an increase in the
activity of these cholinergic neurons leads to a novel hormone-driven weight loss phenotype. Using innovative
techniques in conditional viral genetics, cell-type specific neuronal manipulations, cell-type specific labeling,
optogenetics, and ultrastructural imaging we propose to determine the role of basal forebrain cholinergic
signaling on hypothalamic hormone release. Specifically, we propose to (1) determine which hypothalamic-
pituitary axis hormones are altered by changes in cholinergic tone and (2) determine how cholinergic signaling
alters the release of hypothalamic hormones.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9879732
- **Project number:** 5F30DK112571-04
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Jay M Patel
- **Activity code:** F30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $9,514
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-03-13 → 2020-05-12

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9879732

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9879732, Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Modulation of Hypothalamic Hormone Release (5F30DK112571-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9879732. Licensed CC0.

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