Neurochemical Mediators of Appetite

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The neuroendocrine mechanisms that regulate the control of feeding is a fundamentally important problem that is not well understood. It is known that control of food consumption depends on complex interactions between several types of neurochemicals, including neuropeptides and steroidal hormones. Based on extensive neurobiological data, Dr. Deviche hypothesizes that opioids interact with androgens within specific brain cells of the hypothalamus, an important neural structure for regulatory behaviors. To test this theory, he will use a combination of neuroanatomical, biochemical and behavioral approaches. Experiments will identify the specific hypothalamic nuclei that opioid peptides act to influence feeding, and where these peptides interact with respect to testosterone, the major testicular androgen. Moreover, the unique environment at the University of Alaska enables Dr. Deviche to utilize a seasonally breeding, migratory avian species that undergo extreme seasonal changes in testosterone as his model. He will establish the relationship between density of CNS opioid receptors and variations within plasma concentrations of this androgen. It is likely that these data could ultimately have significance for our understanding of human eating disorders. For example, anorexia nervosa is a life-threatening eating disorder for which there is some evidence for opioid and endocrine dysfunctions.