Topic: Neuroendocrinology

Emily Jacobs will examine how endocrine transitions such as the circadian cycle, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause reshape the human brain. The talk combines precision brain imaging with a review of research, policy, and funding efforts intended to close persistent gaps in women's brain-health evidence.

Rapid communication between the gut and the brain about recently consumed nutrients is critical for regulating food intake and maintaining energy homeostasis. We have shown that the infusion of nutrients directly into the gastrointestinal tract rapidly inhibits hunger-promoting AgRP neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus and suppresses subsequent feeding. The mechanism of this inhibition appears to be dependent upon macronutrient content, and can be recapitulated by a several hormones secreted in the gut in response to nutrient ingestion. In high-fat diet-induced obese mice, the re