This is a past event
Dynamic GABAergic afferent modulation of AgRP neurons
Chair Lora Heisler
AbstractThe sensorimotor processing of caloric deficiency is critical to prevent starvation and ensure organismal survival. The fidelity of such need-detection and response-enactment is underscored by an evolutionarily conserved homeostatic system that defines an awareness of hunger and the instinctual drive to consume food. Agouti-related peptide (AgRP)-expressing neurons of the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC) are a first-order interoceptive population fundamental for this counter-regulatory response. Recent consideration of the endogenous activity of ARCAgRP neurons has revealed a rapidly modulated firing pattern (on the order of seconds) that predicts distinct behavioural sub-modalities comprising homeostatic feeding. Here we identify an explicit inhibitory afferent to ARCAgRP neurons that serves as a neural determinant of this modulation. These GABAergic dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus neurons are rapidly and repeatedly activated upon the sensory detection of food and sufficient to inhibit ARCAgRP neuron driven feeding. The identification of these neurons expands the melanocortienrgic wiring diagram and an understanding of how sensory processing of the external environment is integrated into the homeostatic circuitry.
- Speaker
- Dr Al Garfield, University of Edinburgh
- Hosted by
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health
- Venue
- Strathcona Hall, Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, AB21 9SB
- Contact
-
Dr Nigel Hoggard
Tel: 01224 438655
This is a technical seminar aimed at professional scientists. If you are not a University of Aberdeen staff member and would like to attend, please contact us.