McCutcheon

The neurobiology of nutrient selection

Funded by Tromsø Forskningstiftelse (2019)

This project will study how our intake of the nutrient protein is controlled by the brain. Protein is an essential component of the diet and when animals – including humans – fail to get enough of it in their food appetite for protein and other nutrients can change. We currently have very little information about how these changes occur. Therefore, this project will use start-of-the-art techniques to measure individual brain cells so that we develop a better understanding of this process. My lab also studies how other nutrients (e.g. sugar and salt) activate the brain with a particular focus on the neurochemical dopamine.