Grant: Operating Grant - PA: Regional Partnership Program - Newfoundland and Labrador

Overweight and obesity are among the top global health problems as the population of overweight outnumbers the undernourished. In Canada, almost 60% of the population is overweight or obese, causing increased morbidity, expansion of health care costs, diminished quality of life and a reduction in economic productivity. Therefore, there is an urgent need for efficient therapies and prevention strategies to prevent or reduce obesity. Overconsumption of palatable high fat diet often underlies weight gain, which is driven by the brain recognizing food as rewarding. Orexin neurons are known to mediate the motivational aspect of food intake. Therefore, food deprivation or exposure to palatable foods may alter the regulation of these neurons which in turn may promote appetite and excessive food intake. To test this hypothesis, we will use in vitro electrophysiological technique to investigate the mechanisms by which orexin neurons are regulated and how they are affected by palatable diet or fasting. We will also test how modulation of orexin neurons affect food intake. The proposed study will shed some light onto the mechanism by which overfeeding is induced.