| Abstract |
At least 70% of the world population will be overweight or obese by 2020. These individuals are more likely to be insulin resistant and develop diabetes. The brain collects inputs from around the body to regulate glucose metabolism and feeding behaviour of an individual, and signals back to the peripheral organs to ensure a balanced hormonal response. Alteration of these hormonal and metabolic processes can lead to metabolic diseases. I discovered that a specific area of the brain called the Dorsal Vagal Complex (DVC) senses insulin to regulate blood glucose levels, food intake and body weight. I aim to study precisely how insulin signals in the DVC and which neuronal populations are involved. The DVC looses the ability to respond to changes in insulin levels due to high-fat diet feeding. In particular, I discover that changes in mitochondrial dynamics can trigger the loss of insulin sensitivity in the DVC thus causing an increase in blood glucose levels and obesity. I will study the molecular mechanism that causes insulin resistance in the DVC and the role of the DVC in triggering obesity and diabetes. To this aim, I will use animal models of obesity and diabetes and I will look at ways to ameliorate their disease condition by targetting specifically the DVC. |