The goal of our training program is to recruit and train postgraduate basic and clinical scientists for careers in neuroendocrine research. This expanding, interdisciplinary field addresses the areas of behavior, growth, appetite, metabolism, reproduction, and neural function. Understanding these processes is critical to current and future heath needs, as they relate directly to areas of obesity, hypertension, infertility, and neuro-degenerative diseases. Our program develops biomedical scientists who can address these problems by equipping them with the tools and training to uncover mechanisms of basic neuroendocrine processes. Research and classroom experiences are tailored to trainee background and research goals. Didactic instruction is available in a wide range of topics such as statistics, molecular and cell biology, neuroscience, and clinical investigation. Trainees also participate in a special course on theory and practical approaches to molecular and cellular experimentation in neuroendocrinology. Training faculty includes tenured senior basic and clinical investigators, offering trainees opportunities to study neuroendocrine problems at the molecular, cellular, systems and clinical levels. Specific research areas include: hypothalamic and peripheral regulation of pituitary function, mechanisms of secretion, hormone and neurotransmitter receptors, circadian rhythms, experimental therapeutics, clinical evaluation of hormone secretion by secretagogues and inhibitors, and neural development, function and organization. Our faculty have a strong track record of interaction and collaboration between basic and clinical investigators and among different disciplines. All preceptors have federally funded peer-reviewed research, and a strong collective record of training basic and clinical scientists for independent research careers. Trainees have an outstanding record of accomplishment in obtaining external support, publications, and positions in research and education. We continue to attract outstanding candidates, and request four positions to maintain a critical mass of qualified trainees, and three summer fellowships for undergraduates to support a pipeline of trainees with high representation from underrepresented minorities.

Public Health Relevance

This proposal is directed towards providing the highest possible quality training of young physicians and scientists for research careers in neuroendocrinology. The discipline of neuroendocrinology addresses major issues in science underlying behavior, growth, appetite, metabolism, reproduction, cardiovascular control and neural function. Understanding these processes is critical to the medical care of such disorders as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, infertility and neurodegenerative diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Institutional National Research Service Award (T32)
Project #
5T32DK007646-23
Application #
8320279
Study Section
Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases B Subcommittee (DDK)
Program Officer
Castle, Arthur
Project Start
1990-09-01
Project End
2015-08-31
Budget Start
2012-09-01
Budget End
2013-08-31
Support Year
23
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$151,485
Indirect Cost
$18,134
Name
University of Virginia
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
065391526
City
Charlottesville
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
22904
Burt Solorzano, Christine M; Knudsen, Karen L; Anderson, Amy D et al. (2018) Insulin Resistance, Hyperinsulinemia, and LH: Relative Roles in Peripubertal Obesity-Associated Hyperandrogenemia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 103:2571-2582
DeBoer, Mark D; Cherñavvsky, Daniel R; Topchyan, Katarina et al. (2016) Heart rate informed artificial pancreas system enhances glycemic control during exercise in adolescents with T1D. Pediatr Diabetes :
Hutchens, Eleanor G; Ramsey, Katherine A; Howard, Louisa C et al. (2016) Progesterone has rapid positive feedback actions on LH release but fails to reduce LH pulse frequency within 12 h in estradiol-pretreated women. Physiol Rep 4:
Culver, Silas A; Grober, Yuval; Ornan, David A et al. (2015) A Case for Conservative Management: Characterizing the Natural History of Radiographically Diagnosed Rathke Cleft Cysts. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 100:3943-8
Zhao, Lina; Fu, Zhuo; Wu, Jing et al. (2015) Inflammation-induced microvascular insulin resistance is an early event in diet-induced obesity. Clin Sci (Lond) 129:1025-36
Collins, Jessicah S; Beller, Jennifer P; Burt Solorzano, Christine et al. (2014) Blunted day-night changes in luteinizing hormone pulse frequency in girls with obesity: the potential role of hyperandrogenemia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 99:2887-96
Fu, Zhuo; Zhao, Lina; Aylor, Kevin W et al. (2014) Angiotensin-(1-7) recruits muscle microvasculature and enhances insulin's metabolic action via mas receptor. Hypertension 63:1219-27
Stolzenberg, Danielle S; Stevens, Jacqueline S; Rissman, Emilie F (2014) Histone deacetylase inhibition induces long-lasting changes in maternal behavior and gene expression in female mice. Endocrinology 155:3674-83
Anderson, Amy D; Solorzano, Christine M Burt; McCartney, Christopher R (2014) Childhood obesity and its impact on the development of adolescent PCOS. Semin Reprod Med 32:202-13
van der Vinne, Vincent; Riede, Sjaak J; Gorter, Jenke A et al. (2014) Cold and hunger induce diurnality in a nocturnal mammal. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 111:15256-60

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