Friday, October 31, 2025 10/31/2025

Mapping the neuronal circuitry underlying indirect striatal to hypothalamic connectivity and its role in feeding

Award Number: R00AA027750
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/20/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2024

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Mapping the neuronal circuitry underlying indirect striatal to hypothalamic connectivity and its role in feeding - Food consumption is fundamental to species survival and understanding the neuronal circuitry underlying feeding behaviors is of the utmost importance. Amassing evidence supports the idea that control of caloric intake is complex and involves calculations of hedonic value, reward and motivation. Thus, it requires interactions between brain regions classically implemented in feeding (such as the lateral hypothalamus; LH) and the regions modulating reward (such as the ventral striatum). While the intersection of these regions has been suggested, the cell-type specific circuitry linking these pathways is poorly understood. The objective of this proposal is to further elucidate the cell-type specific circuitry underlying striatal-to-lateral hypothalamic connections and determine its role in feeding, while gaining training in new neuronal circuitry mapping techniques. There is evidence that the striatum exerts its control over feeding behaviors by interfacing with the LH. Previous research indicates that the ventral striatum, and specifically the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcS), and the LH are connected via a direct pathway. However, rudimentary tracing and behavioral studies have suggested a second, indirect pathway, with the NAcS projecting to the ventral pallidum (VP), which in turn projects to the LH. However, despite this initial evidence, cell-type specific, neuronal circuitry in this indirect pathway remains unknown. Using viral tracing methods and chemogenetic approaches I will determine the cell-types implicated in each component of this three-part circuitry, and how they mediate feeding behaviors. I hypothesize that GABAergic striatal projection neurons expressing the dopamine D2 receptor in the NAcS preferentially innervate GABAergic cells in the VP, which in turn disinhibit LH GABA neurons to facilitate feeding. Furthermore, in understanding the brain pathways and connectivity underlying food intake behaviors, this project will ultimately allow us to better understand perturbations that occur in disease states such as obesity.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $365,176 )
2023	2023	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	65 BERGEN ST	NEWARK	NJ	07107	ESSEX	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	005	4	8/19/2023	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$58,088
2023	2023	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	65 BERGEN ST	NEWARK	NJ	07107	ESSEX	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	001	3	4/18/2023	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$58,088
2023	2023	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	65 BERGEN ST	NEWARK	NJ	07107	ESSEX	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	004	4	8/18/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$249,000
2023	2022	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	65 BERGEN ST	NEWARK	NJ	07107	ESSEX	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	003	3	6/1/2023	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$78
2023	2021	RUTGERS THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	185 S ORANGE AVE	NEWARK	NJ	07103	ESSEX	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	002	2	6/1/2023	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	-$78
2023	2021	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	185 S ORANGE AVE	NEWARK	NJ	07103	ESSEX	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	2	12/22/2022	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$0
														Subtotal = $365,176

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $249,000 )
2022	2022	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	65 BERGEN ST	NEWARK	NJ	07107	ESSEX	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	001	3	8/26/2022	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$249,000
2022	2021	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	185 S ORANGE AVE	NEWARK	NJ	07103	ESSEX	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	2	8/25/2022	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$0
														Subtotal = $249,000

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $249,000 )
2021	2021	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	185 S ORANGE AVE	NEWARK	NJ	07103	ESSEX	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	2	9/20/2021	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$249,000
														Subtotal = $249,000

Grand Total All Awards = $863,176

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Mapping the neuronal circuitry underlying indirect striatal to hypothalamic connectivity and its role in feeding

Award Number: R00AA027750

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/20/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2024

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