Research Field

Research Theme : Functional Neuroanatomy of Metabolism Regulation

Our research focuses on the functional neuroanatomy of the metabolism regulation, how brain regulates body metabolism. Regulation of body weight homeostasis, food intake and energy expenditure is controlled by central nervous system. Brain cerebral cortex performs higher brain function, integrating external stimuli (sight, smell, taste and etc.), previous experiences, expected rewards and etc. Based on this integrative function, brain makes decisions on what to eat, how much to eat and when to eat. Brain also regulates body temperature and energy expenditure. This integrative regulation is mediated by pathways in the brain involved in cerebral cortex, reward system, hypothalamus, brain stem and autonomic nervous system through multiple hormones and neurotransmitter and afferent/efferent nervous signals. By unraveling these interactions, our research aims to elucidate the major driving pathogenic mechanism of the modern endemic metabolic diseases (obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis and hypertension) and find effective cure and preventive measures.

Environmental factors and genetic factors influences food intake and energy expenditure through psychologic/cognitive responses, hormone regulations. These eating/exercise behavior and neuroendocrinology functions determines internal organs, such as pancreas, liver, fat, gut and muscle. Inappropriate adaptation or pathogenic failure of these internal organs results in changes of blood glucose and blood pressure. These blood glucose responses and blood pressure responses could be deleterious to blood vessels and cause cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases. To investigate these deadly mechanisms, our research collects data, such as neuroimage data, hormone data, genetic data, laboratory data, survey data and sensor data. To modulate these mechanisms, our research aims to intervene with drug, Neuromodulation, psychotherapy, behavior therapy and policy making.

By unraveling the role of brain on metabolism regulation through these studies, clinical application for obesity and metabolic diseases could be delivered as follows. Firstly, by gathering actual data, regarding food intake, exercise, and blood glucose, the behavior pattern associated with the metabolic disease could be identified and sub-typed. Secondly, by collecting genetic, lab/hormone, neuroimaging, environmental and cognitive data, the baseline characteristics controlling the metabolic disease could be identified. From these whole picture with comprehensive health information, the personalized diagnosis of the patient’s major pathognomonic driver could be suggested, perhaps using machine learning approach. From this personalized approach, precision medicine could be suggested. For a patient with a strong tendency to over-eat under a certain stress, appropriate psychotherapy could be the ideal therapy. For a patient with unhealthy habit, dietary intervention and/or exercise intervention could be the precision medicine. For a patient with a specific pathogenic hormonal or brain regional abnormality, a specific drug and/or a specific Neuromodulation for that target would work best. Extending these approaches, the comprehensive knowledge of these pathogenic environmental/psychologic/social factors governing childhood development, could be used to make appropriate policy strategies for correcting these deleterious public health issues in school/work/society. Through these efforts, we can provide a healthier society for our children.

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Keyword

Neuroscience, Metabolism, Brain-Body Interaction, Obesity, Eating Behavior