2008

“Effect of Dietary Macrocomposition on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Bariatric Surgery Candidates”

This study compares differences in weight loss by 3-month hypocaloric low fat vs. low carbohydrate diets in candidates for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and to determine the efficacy of a low carbohydrate vs. a low fat diet to reduce hepatic steatosis.

Assistant Professor, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine; Medical Director, UMHS Bariatric Surgery Program; Director, Obesity Rehabilitation and Weight Management Program

George D. Zuidema Professor of Surgery, Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery; Medical Director, Adult Bariatric Surgery Program; Director, Michigan Surgical Collaborative for Outcomes Research and Evaluation Center (M-SCORE)

2007

“Evaluation of Human Pancreatic B-cell Mass with [11C] Dihydrotetrabenazine (DTBZ) Radioligand”

This project is a multidisciplinary collaboration to determine the biodistribution of the DTBZ reagent and its potential as an investigational and diagnostic reagent for assessment of human pancreatic beta-cell mass.

Assistant Professor, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine

Professor, Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine

2006

“Genomic analysis of novel leptin-regulated neural metabolic pathways”

While it is well-known that leptin acts in the brain to modulate energy balance and overall metabolism, the nature of most leptin-responsive CNS neurons remains poorly understood. The goal of this project was to identify neurotransmitters expressed in novel populations of leptin responsive neurons in the brain — especially those in the lateral hypothalamus and ventral premamillary nuclei, thereby permitting the analysis of these neurons and the increased understanding of mechanisms of leptin action.

Associate Professor, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine; Marilyn H. Vincent Professor of Diabetes Research

Research Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute; Assistant Research Scientist, Reproductive Sciences Program

Papers published on DISP grant research:

Leshan RL, Louis GW, Jo YH, Rhodes CJ, Munzberg H, and Myers MG Jr. Direct innervation of GnRH neurons by metabolism- and sexual odorant-sensing leptin receptor neurons in the hypothalamic ventral premammilary nucleus. J Neurosci. 2009 Mar 11;29(10):3138-47. PMID: 19279251

Leinninger GM, Jo YH, Leshan RL, Louis GW, Barrera JG, Wilson H, Yang H, Opland D, Faouzi M, Gong Y, Jones JC, Rhodes CJ, Chua Sc Jr, Seeley RJ, Becker JB, Münzberg H, Myers MG Jr. Lateral hypothalamic leptin receptor neurons control the mesolimbic dopamine system and energy balance. Cell Metab. 2009 (In Press).

Funding resulting from DISP grant research:

American Diabetes Association Research Grant "Regulation and function of leptin receptor-expressing LHA neurons." 5% effort (Myers, PI). 01/2007-12/2010.

NIH R01 DK078056-01. "Role of the lateral hypothalamic area in leptin action." 25% effort (Myers, PI). 1/1/2008-12/31/2012.