Oferta TFM | ID 22

Hypothalamic neurocircuits are critical for maintaining endocrine and energy balance. These interconnected neuronal circuits integrate internal and external cues to regulate feeding, energy expenditure and peripheral metabolism. Disruption of hypothalamic neurocircuits leads to the development of obesity and other cardiometabolic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension.

The PVH is one of the main hypothalamic nuclei, integrating neural signals from other hypothalamic regions and communicating through synaptic connections with additional brain areas. The PVH‑specific neuronal subpopulation that expresses Npy1R (neuropeptide Y receptor 1) has been proposed to play a key role in coordinating feeding and metabolic responses. Neuronal communication via NPY is essential for rapid feeding regulation and glucose homeostasis, However, it is unknown how Npy1R hypothalamic neurons are impacted by obesogenic diets and how Npy1R-PVH neurons contribute to the development of cardiometabolic diseases.

Then, we propose the following aims to investigate the specific contributions of NPY receptors to the metabolic roles of PVH neurocircuits:

1. Explore the roles of Npy1R-PVH neurons in the control of metabolism.
2. Identify the impact of high-fat diets on Npy1R-PVH neurons and their metabolic roles.

To address these objectives, we use transgenic mouse models and advanced neuroscience techniques (virogenetics, RNA in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry) combined with metabolic phenotyping in vivo. The Metabolic Neurocircuits Laboratory is an young research group at the IIBM, offering an open and inclusive environment for students with strong curiosity about neuroscience and metabolic biology.