Achieving More Effective Weight Loss With Intermittent Energy Restriction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,373,874.00
Summary
Part of the difficulty in achieving lasting weight loss is that the body responds to dieting with compensatory changes in appetite, metabolic rate & blood hormone levels. We have shown in men that alternating phases of energy restriction with periods of greater food intake markedly improves weight loss by overcoming this “famine reaction”. This study will examine if the intermittent diet also produces more effective weight loss in women, and whether it is applicable to the wider community.
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.
NPY Coordination Of Energy Balance And Physical Activity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$844,596.00
Summary
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterized by behavioral alterations, restrictive eating leading to extremely low body weight. AN is also associated with a paradoxical hyperactivity representing a failure of the brain to adjust activity to energy status. Here we aim to investigate the role of the Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a known regulator of homeostatic control and activity in the development of hyperactivity in AN, thus help to identify NPY-targeted therapeutics for AN treatment.
Schizophrenia: Reversal Of Atypical Antipsychotic Drug-induced Obesity And Its Related Metabolic Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$619,854.00
Summary
Atypical antipsychotic drugs such as olanzapine are commonly used to treat mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. While these drugs are effective, their side effects of obesity and metabolic disorders are a major hurdle leading to a serious lack of compliance in taking medication. This project aims to develop better antipsychotic treatment with reduced side-effects including obesity and metabolic disorders for mental illness patients.
Novel Photoreceptor Bioenergetics: Basic Science And Clinical Translation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$701,088.00
Summary
In this project we will investigate how the light-sensitive cells in the eye (the photoreceptors) use energy and make special pigments that convert light to electrical signals. We will test novel treatments that enhance the energy supply of the photoreceptors in individuals with age-related macular degeneration.
Retinal Ganglion Cell Bioenergetics With Clinical Translation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$725,913.00
Summary
Glaucoma is an eye disease where elevated pressure within the eye damages the sensitive nerve of sight at the back of the eye. The only current treatment is to lower the pressure in the eye with either drops, laser or surgery. Why the pressure damages the nerve of sight is unclear but there is evidence that it results in a reduced blood flow to the nerve. This starves the nerve of nutrients. We have developed a new treatment that supplies nutrients to the nerve and protects vision.
The Role Of The Central Insulin-NPY Pathway In The Regulation Of Energy Balance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$474,975.00
Summary
Insulin is known for its role in the regulation of glucose metabolism in the liver, muscle and fat, however very little is known about the role of insulin in the brain. This project aims to improve our understanding on how insulin regulates energy balance and appetite and identifies the exact neuronal networks involved in the brain and to understand the mechanistic insights into the pathology of obesity, providing the means for the development of more effective and safer therapeutic approaches.
Central Neural Circuits Subserving Nutrient–activated Thermogenesis - The Basis Of Post Prandial Energy Expenditure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$766,207.00
Summary
Studies of “energy burning” brown fat, including its importance in the determination of obesity in humans and the potential to increase its capacity by turning white fat into brown-like fat are currently foremost in obesity research. Here we study the detail of brain pathways that dictate brown fat activity after a meal resulting in the burning of ingested calories and reduction of body weight. The results will give us a better idea of how we can harness brown fat to combat obesity.
RANKL, A Critical New Player In The Coordination Of Whole Body Energy Homeostasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$842,946.00
Summary
Imbalances in food intake and energy expenditure can lead to the development of obesity or anorexia. Conserved mechanisms are in place to coordinate the energy requirements of organs and tissues. The main centre is the brain which receives, processes and sends out information to accommodate the needs of the different tissues. Bone tissue in particular is in need of a lot of energy. Factors produced by bone are therefore critical in the coordination of whole body energy homeostasis.