Riera Lab

The Riera Laboratory studies the neurocircuits controlling energy homeostatic processes in response to environmental cues. We investigate how sensory information is processed in the hypothalamus in response to predator smell, temperature changes and food cues. Our long-term goal is to understand how impaired processing of sensory information can alter metabolic health and contributes to the aging process. For example: Is the reduced ability to detect cold temperatures associated with decreased sympathetic activation of brown adipose tissue thermogenesis and/or white adipose tissue lipolysis and therefore increased weight gain? We use cell-specific viral vectors targeting brain neurons, neuron activity mapping, chemogenetic stimulation and neuron calcium imaging to examine the role of specific cell types in metabolism. We also use diet-induced obesity, diabetes and neurodegenerative disease models, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease-like pathologies to examine the maladaptive consequences of neuronal dysfunction in disease.

The Riera Laboratory is affiliated with the Cedars-Sinai Center for Neural Sciences and Medicine, Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute.