Roger Adan
Position: Professor of Molecular Pharmacology
Email: r.a.h.adan@umcutrecht.nl
Phone: +31 (0)88 75 68517
Phone secretariat: +31 (0)88 75 68810
I believe that genes are the key towards unraveling the mechanisms underlying brain diseases. In comparison to other behaviors, the neural circuits and molecules that are involved in feeding behavior are better known. Furthermore, feeding is a natural behavior that is easily studied. Therefore we study feeding behavior in order to delineate further how genes affect behavior. We aim to contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies to treat obesity and eating disorders.
RESEARCH
Aims:
Feeding behavior is a complex behavior that serves to control energy balance of an organism. Homeostatic control over energy balance is challenged by higher brain centers that drive feeding of palatable foods or inhibit feeding in order to loose weight. disruptions of this control mechanism may contribute to development of eating disorders and obesity. We aim at unraveling the genetic and neural pathways underlying eating disorders and obesity.
Experimental strategy:
Several animal models are used in which anorectic behavior (including hyperactivity) is mimicked or in which animals become obese following exposure to palatable choice diets. Using viral vector technology, genes are either overexpressed or knocked down (RNAi) in these animals, in order to unravel the role of genes in feeding behavior and energy balance. Results from animal experiments are translated into clinical relevance by using a human genetics approach. DNA from eating disorders patients and epidemiological cohorts is available with extensive phenotypic information. This allows to determine genotype-phenotype relationships in humans.
RECENT KEY PUBLICATIONS
1: Adan RA, Vanderschuren LJ, la Fleur SE. Anti-obesity drugs and neural circuits of feeding. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 29, 2008, 208-217.
2: la Fleur SE, Vanderschuren LJMJ, Luijendijk MC, Kloeze BM, Tiesjema B and Adan RAH A reciprocal interaction between food-motivated behavior and diet-induced obesity Int J Obes 2007, 1286-1294.
3: Tiesjema B, Adan RA, Luijendijk MC, Kalsbeek A, la Fleur SE. Differential effects of recombinant adeno-associated virus-mediated neuropeptide Y overexpression in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and lateral hypothalamus on feeding behavior. J Neurosci. 2007 27, 14139-14146.
