Currently, there are two ongoing research programs in my laboratory. The first project investigates the mechanism underlying estradiol's ability to control food intake and regulate body weight in female rodents. To study this problem, we use an integrated approach involving behavioral, physiological, pharmacological, and molecular techniques. The interaction between estrogen and neuropeptides is of particular interest. A second project investigates the changes in neuropeptide secretion associated with activity-based anorexia, an animal model of anorexia nervosa. We are also interested in identifying behavioral patterns in rats that might increase the risk of developing activity-based anorexia.
Rivera HM, Oberbeck DR, Kwon B, Houpt TA, & Eckel LA (2009). Estradiol increases Pet-1 and serotonin transporter mRNA in the midbrain raphe nuclei of ovariectomized rats. Brain Res, 259, 51-58. [pdf]
Santollo J & Eckel LA (2009). Effect of a putative ER a antagonist, MPP, on food intake in cycling and ovariectomized rats. Physiol Behav 97, 193-198. [pdf]
Santollo J & Eckel LA (2008). Estradiol decreases the orexigenic effect of neuropeptide Y, but not agouti-related protein, in ovariectomized rats. Behav Brain Res, 191, 173-177. [pdf]
Santollo J & Eckel LA (2008). The orexigenic effect of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is influenced by sex and stage of the estrous cycle. Physiol Behav,93, 842-850. [pdf]
Santollo J, Wiley MD, & Eckel LA (2007). Acute activation of ER a decreases food intake, meal size, and body weight in ovariectomized rats. Am. J.Physiol. (Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol. 293) , R2194-R2201 . [pdf]
Atchley DPD & Eckel LA (2006). Treatment with 8-OH-DPAT attenuates the weight loss associated with activity-based anorexia in female rats. Pharm. Biochem. Behav., 83, 547-553. [pdf]
