Roger Adan

Full Professor

Strategic program(s):

Biography

Roger Adan was trained as a molecular neurobiologist and received his PhD in 1992 on the regulation of vasopressin and oxytocin gene expression. Since 2002 he is full professor in molecular pharmacology. Via his work on melanocortin receptors he became an expert in molecular and neural pathways underlying feeding behavior, obesity and eating disorders. His lab has a strong multidisciplinary character. A variety of strategies (pharmacogenetics, viral vector technology, in vivo electrophysiology, optogenetics and automated behavioral and physiological analysis) is used to unravel mechanism underlying behavior. The main focus is on feeding, since this is a natural behavior ideally suited to dissect neural circuits that underlie decision making, anxiety, anhedonia, impulsivity and reward seeking.

Personal fellowships and awards

1: NWO-VIDI grant (016.036.322): Role of neuropeptides in disorders of energy balance
2: ZOnMW-TOP grant (40-00812-98-14093): Shining light on loss of control over substance and food intake
3: co-applicant of 4 granted FP7 programs (Nudge-IT, NeuroFast, Full4Health and I.Family)
4: Recipient of the Rudolf Magnus Research Prize 2003
5: Recipient of the Organon prize for pharmacology 2004

Research line

Neural circuits of feeding and related behaviors

Strategic program(s):

Contact

radan@umcutrecht.nl

Pure profile

Research groups

Neural circuit function

Research aim

We aim to unravel the neurobiology underlying eating disorders. This will provide a framework for the development of neurobiology-based therapeutic interventions for diseases like anorexia nervosa.

Go to group

Recent publications

All publications

Age and body mass index are associated with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activation in response to unhealthy food cues Floor van Meer, Laura N. van der Laan, Gabriele Eiben, Lauren Lissner, Maike Wolters, Stefan Rach, Manfred Herrmann, Peter Erhard, Denes Molnar, Gergely Orsi, Roger A.H. Adan, Paul A.M. Smeets,
Appetite, 2025, vol. 213

Distinct ventral tegmental area neuronal ensembles are indispensable for reward-driven approach and stress-driven avoidance behaviors Ioannis Koutlas, Lefkothea Patrikiou, Stef E. van der Starre, Diaz Danko, Inge G. Wolterink-Donselaar, Mieneke C.M. Luijendijk, Roger A.H. Adan, Frank J. Meye
Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16

Absolute measurement of fast and slow neuronal signals with fluorescence lifetime photometry at high temporal resolution Bart Lodder, Tarun Kamath, Ecaterina Savenco, Berend Röring, Michelle Siegel, Julie Chouinard, Suk Joon Lee, Caroline Zagoren, Paul Rosen, Roger Adan, Lin Tian, Bernardo L Sabatini
2025

Policy Actions Required to Improve Nutrition for Brain Health Suzanne Higgs, Kristien Aarts, Roger A.H. Adan, Jan K. Buitelaar, Francesca Cirulli, John F. Cryan, Suzanne L. Dickson, Aniko Korosi, Eline M. van der Beek, Louise Dye
Nutrition Reviews, 2025, vol. 83, p.586-592

Seeking under threat of adversity Sofie van Koppen, A. Maryse Minnaard, Johanna A.S. Smeets, Iulia Buzatouiu, Geert M.J. Ramakers, Roger A.H. Adan, Louk J.M.J. Vanderschuren, Heidi M.B. Lesscher
Psychopharmacology, 2024, vol. 242, p.803-816

GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide reduces appetite while increasing dopamine reward signaling Karlijn L. Kooij, Derek IJsbrand Koster, Emma Eeltink, Mieneke Luijendijk, Lisa Drost, Fabien Ducrocq, Roger A.H. Adan
Neuroscience Applied, 2024, vol. 3

Fellowships & Awards

1: NWO-VIDI grant (016.036.322): Role of neuropeptides in disorders of energy balance
2: TI pharma grant T5-210 Rapid in vivo CNS drug target validation and therapeutic potential by RNA-interference PI (and co-applicant on 2 other TI pharma grants)
3:co-applicant of 3 granted FP7 programs (NeuroFast, Full4Health and I.Family)
4: Recipient of the Rudolf Magnus Research Prize 2003
5: Recipient of the Organon prize for pharmacology 2004

External positions

commissielid NCAD - adviezen over proefdieren en proefdiervrije innovaties - RVO-NCAD

gasthoogleraarschap - adviseren molecular neuroscience technologie - Sahlgrenska Academy, university of Gothenburg

wetenschappelijk adviseur - translationeel werk: vertaalslag preklinisch onderzoek naar kliniek (en terug) - Altrecht- Rintveld eetstoornissen kliniek