Mesolimbic regions, including the nucleus accumbens (NAc) mediate the motivational properties of food, sex, and drug rewards, as well as cues that are paired with them. It is well established that ovarian hormones influence motivation (Yoest et al., 2014) and potently regulate NAc function and plasticity (Cyr et al., 2001; Le Saux et al., 2006; Peterson et al., 2015). In addition, glutamatergic transmission in the NAc is essential for the initiation of motivated behaviors. The regulation of NAc glutamatergic synaptic plasticity by ovarian hormones is proposed to underlie motivational responses to food and drug rewards (Becker and Hu, 2008; Sinclair et al., 2017). However, the mechanisms underlying the modulatory role of ovarian hormones on NAc function and motivation are poorly understood. Thus, the goal of the proposed studies is to combine behavioral, biochemical and electrophysiological approaches to understand how ovarian hormones influence motivation and NAc function. These studies will not only provide a better understanding of the role of ovarian hormones in motivation and NAc function, but they will also provide training and preparation for my independent research career.

Public Health Relevance

Food intake and feeding behaviors are regulated by the reproductive cycle. It has been shown that females have greater risk of suffering from obesity and eating disorders. In addition, females show enhanced behavioral responses to the rewarding properties of food and drugs of abuse compared to males. Furthermore, hormonal changes across the cycle can affect female responses to food, sex and addictive drugs. The goal of the proposed studies is to determine the role of the reproductive cycle and ovarian hormones in modulating cue-triggered motivation for food and the underlying neural mechanisms.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Project #
1F99NS108549-01
Application #
9614035
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZNS1)
Program Officer
Jones, Michelle
Project Start
2018-07-31
Project End
2020-07-30
Budget Start
2018-07-31
Budget End
2019-07-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
073133571
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109