Grant: Project Grant

The continuous birth and integration of adult-born neurons is an important part of neuronal plasticity in the adult brain. The inability of adult neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) to produce newborn neurons may dampen neuronal plasticity, increasing neuronal vulnerability. Numerous studies have highlighted innervated neuronal projections from distant brain regions as an important niche component to modulate NSPC function. Thus, our current proposal aims to decipher the neuronal endocannabinoid signaling mechanisms that couple feeding control neuronal circuitry to NSPC behavior. This underlying mechanistic study will lead to understanding how energy metabolism neural control center where feeding control neurons reside regulates NSPC function and neuronal plasticity at the cellular, molecular and system levels.