Adjunct Faculty
Adjunct faculty typically have an academic or research appointment at another institution and contribute or collaborate with one or more School of Medicine faculty members or programs.
Adjunct rank detailsMichael Cowley, PhD
About
Research
Publications
2026
Effects of a single dose of psilocybin on diet-induced weight loss in obese mice
Keenan R, Haque R, Jin X, Mustafa T, Homman-Ludiye J, Elysee K, Wee Z, Simonds S, Foldi C, Cowley M. Effects of a single dose of psilocybin on diet-induced weight loss in obese mice. Translational Psychiatry 2026, 16: 276. PMID: 41980923, PMCID: PMC13187204, DOI: 10.1038/s41398-026-03995-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSingle dose of psilocybinDose of psilocybinPsychedelic compoundsDiet-induced weight lossSingle doseFood intakeNeural circuitsWeight lossDIO miceRemodeling of neural circuitsBody weightPersistent weight lossLow-fat chowNeural mechanismsNeuropsychiatric disordersEnergy expenditurePsilocybinGrowth of dendritic spinesNeural plasticityHigh-fat dietAdjunctive therapyStructural plasticityClinical studiesDendritic spinesProlonged obesity
2025
Liraglutide and Weight Loss Among Suboptimal Responders to Metabolic Bariatric Surgery
Brown W, Burton P, Laurie C, Paul E, Johari Y, Cowley M, Wentworth J. Liraglutide and Weight Loss Among Suboptimal Responders to Metabolic Bariatric Surgery. JAMA Network Open 2025, 8: e2539848. PMID: 41160027, PMCID: PMC12573037, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.39848.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMetabolic bariatric surgeryBody weight lossExcess body weight lossRoux-en-Y gastric bypassTotal body weight lossQuality of lifeAdjustable gastric bandingManaging medicationsAnastomosis gastric bypassRoux-en-YGastric bypassSuboptimal weight lossRandomized clinical trialsConversion surgeryGastric bandingSleeve gastrectomyWeight lossBariatric surgeryFollow-upClinical trialsSingle-center randomized clinical trialBody mass indexCohort of patientsHealth outcomesAcademic surgical departmentThe metabolic and cardiovascular effects of amphetamine are partially mediated by the central melanocortin system
Simonds S, Pryor J, Lam B, Dowsett G, Mustafa T, Munder A, Elysee K, Balland E, Cowley L, Yeo G, Lawrence A, Spanswick D, Cowley M. The metabolic and cardiovascular effects of amphetamine are partially mediated by the central melanocortin system. Cell Reports Medicine 2025, 6: 101936. PMID: 39914386, PMCID: PMC11866487, DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2025.101936.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEffects of amphetamineCentral melanocortin systemCardiovascular effectsMelanocortin systemFood intakeInhibition of POMC neuronsAMPH-induced anorexiaMelanocortin 4 receptor-deficientNoradrenergic neurotransmitter systemsHeart rateBrown adipose tissueElevated blood pressureBody weightNoradrenergic inhibitionPOMC neuronsAMPH-inducedSerotonergic activityPresynaptic mechanismsNeurotransmitter systemsMC4R pathwayAmphetamineBlood pressureCardiovascular functionIncreased brown adipose tissueAdipose tissue
2024
Femoral Artery Infusion of αMSH Increases Muscle Thermogenesis and Promotes Glucose Uptake in Ovariectomized Ewes
Henry B, Cowley M, Andrews Z, Clarke I. Femoral Artery Infusion of αMSH Increases Muscle Thermogenesis and Promotes Glucose Uptake in Ovariectomized Ewes. Endocrinology 2024, 166: bqae156. PMID: 39560101, PMCID: PMC11606653, DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqae156.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSympathetic nervous systemGlucose uptakeFemoral infusionAssociated with altered mitochondrial functionState 4 respirationMuscle heat productionMitochondrial thermogenesisRespiratory control ratioLong-term weight regulationAMSHMitochondrial functionRegulate metabolismControl of energy balanceVastus lateralis temperatureAdaptive thermogenesisNO effectNonesterified fatty acid concentrationsHind legsSympathetic nervous system activitySkeletal muscleOvariectomized ewesEnergy expenditureFatty acid concentrationsHeat productionPlasma glucose concentrationTackling Cravings in Medical Weight Management: An Update on Pathophysiology and an Integrated Approach to Treatment
Kakoschke N, Henry B, Cowley M, Lee K. Tackling Cravings in Medical Weight Management: An Update on Pathophysiology and an Integrated Approach to Treatment. Nutrients 2024, 16: 3238. PMID: 39408206, PMCID: PMC11478323, DOI: 10.3390/nu16193238.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFood cravingsWeight managementLong-term weight loss maintenanceAnti-obesity medicationsWeight management clinicMedical weight managementWeight management settingsBinge Eating DisorderEvidence-based lifestyleComplex aetiologyWeight loss maintenanceHomeostatic eatingMedical modelHedonic eatingPalatable foodPharmacotherapy trialsPsychological therapiesCraving managementEating DisordersPsychological interventionsCravingLifestyle modificationManagement clinicMedication trialsObesity epidemic
1999
Estrogen Transiently Increases Delayed Rectifier, Voltage-Dependent Potassium Currents in Ovine Gonadotropes
Cowley M, Chen C, Clarke I. Estrogen Transiently Increases Delayed Rectifier, Voltage-Dependent Potassium Currents in Ovine Gonadotropes. Neuroendocrinology 1999, 69: 254-260. PMID: 10207277, DOI: 10.1159/000054426.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsK+ current densityK+ currentEffects of ENystatin-perforated whole-cell recordingLH release in vitroVoltage-dependent potassium currentsResponse to gonadotropin-releasing hormoneDelayed rectifier K+ channelsWhole-cell recordingsVoltage clamp modeE treatmentRectifying K+ channelsResponse to GnRHGonadotropin-releasing hormoneRelease in vitroPre-treatment levelsVehicle-treated cellsOvine gonadotropesOutward currentDelayed RectifierPotassium currentK+ channelsPituitary cellsVoltage-dependentTreatment of cells