Lab Overview

Our goal is to establish an understanding of the molecular and neuronal circuits that are responsible for controlling reward-related behavior. We seek to define brain mechanisms that regulate eating and are important in the development of obesity. Dysfunction of these appetitive behaviors also contributes to related pathological states, such as eating disorders, drug addiction, and depression. We are identifying critical molecules and neural circuitry that connect metabolic signals to behavioral output. Projects in the lab are aimed at better defining the molecular and neural mechanisms that integrate the hypothalamus and peripheral metabolic signals with brain regions that drive, and control, motivated behavior. In addition, the lab is active in developing tools that facilitate efforts to better understand the molecular and cellular basis of neural plasticity and animal behavior.