Age- And Energy-status Dependent-plasticity Of Glucose Sensing, Orexigenic NPY Neurons: The Glucose-ghrelin Balance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$578,641.00
Summary
Our research aims to identify how specific brain cells detect changes in glucose levels and how ageing and diet affect their function. We identified a subset of nerve cells that detect changes in glucose and the “hunger” hormone ghrelin, their ability to do so adapting with age and nutritional status. This project will investigate the potential of these nerve cells as targets for therapeutic and diet- intervention strategies to target obesity, diabetes and promote healthy ageing
Brain Glucose-sensing: Age- And Energy-status-dependent Plasticity Of Function-specific Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) Glucose-sensing Neurons In The Arcuate Nucleus Of The Hypothalamus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,071.00
Summary
Obesity and ageing predispose individuals to diabetes, the health and socio-economic implications of which posing significant challenges for Australia in the foreseeable future. Research outlined here aims to identify novel mechanisms enabling brain cells to detect changes in glucose and how ageing and diet affect the function of these nerves. We believe this research could provide novel therapeutic and early diet-based intervention strategies for diabetes and obesity.