CRC/Transregio TRR 134, Project A04: Role of orexin signalling in energy homeostasis and reward processing

The neuropeptide orexin is expressed exclusively in the lateral hypothalamus and regulates feeding behaviour and energy homeostasis. In addition, orexinergic neurons interact with dopaminergic and serotonergic systems of the brain and mediate reward-seeking behaviour. Orexins act via orexin type-1 and type-2 receptors which are differentially expressed within the reward circuitry. The goal of this project is to describe downstream neuronal target sites of orexin neurons and to identify the corresponding receptor signalling pathways involved in the homeostatic and hedonic control of energy homeostasis.