Neural Mechanisms of Homeostatic Need and Reward

Author

Bowen Tan

Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

RU Laboratory

Friedman Laboratory

Abstract

Feeding, drinking, sleep, mating, fighting, and parenting are instinct behaviors essential for animal survival. Brain has evolved sophisticated cell types and circuits that encode or fulfill the need states for food, water, sleep, sex, aggression and parenting. These need-sensing neurons monitor both environmental cues and interoceptive conditions to elicit appropriate and specific behavioral programs towards restoration of these needs. The homeostatic control of these need states further enables animals to maintain their survival strength and adapt to the environment. In contrast,dysregulation of these need-sensing neurons causes diseases such as obesity and sleep disorders,both of which are key risk factors for a shorter lifespan across animal species including human.This thus raises two key questions in neurobiology of need and homeostasis: 1. How do need-sensing neurons maintain physiological homeostasis? How does dysregulation of need-sensing neurons cause diseases?

Comments

A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of The Rockefeller University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Recommended Citation

Tan, Bowen, "Neural Mechanisms of Homeostatic Need and Reward" (2023). Student Theses and Dissertations. 789.
https://digitalcommons.rockefeller.edu/student_theses_and_dissertations/789