Our group investigates the neurobiology of the body-brain axis in modifying eating and addictive behaviours in obesity, and smoking and alcohol dependence.

We examine body-brain interactions in the regulation of eating and addictive behaviours, such as reward processing, food and drug craving, impulsivity, compulsivity,  emotional reactivity and stress sensitivity, in obesity and addiction. 

We investigate the influence of dietary, hormonal, pharmacological and bariatric surgical interventions, and genetic variants.

We use comprehensive phenotyping in humans, including functional and structural neuroimaging with MRI, cognitive and psychological testing, assessment of gut and pituitary hormones, metabolism, food intake and appetite.

Current research areas

(i) Gut Hormone in Addiction Study - investigating ability of GLP-1 and ghrelin appetitive hormones to reduce craving for food, alcohol and cigarettes, and addictive behaviours in obesity, ex-smokers and abstinent alcohol dependent adults.

(ii) Mechanisms behind changes in eating and addictive behaviours after gastric bypass surgery and the duodenal-jejunal bypass liner (Endobarrier) for obesity and diabetes

(iii) Neurobiology of eating and addictive behaviours in obesity, and interactions between obesity-related, dopaminergic and opioid system genetic variants

Additional research topics linking to specialist medical clinics:

(iv) Identifying novel genetic causes of syndromic obesity, including carboxypeptidase E mutations and SNORD116 microdeletions, with use of next generation sequencing

(v) Pathogenesis and novel treatments for hyperphagia and obesity in Prader-Willi syndrome 

(vi) Hormonal and metabolic influences on brain recovery after traumatic brain injury including pituitary dysfunction

Current Master's students

• Tasya Parastika, MRes Clinical Research: Human Nutrition
• Adriana Azor, MSc Translational Neuroscience
• Sara Antoniazzi, MSc Translational Neuroscience
• Rida Abeer, MSc Clinical Nutrition, University of Roehampton