University at Buffalo · PsychologyDaniels Thirst Lab
Derek Daniels · Buffalo, New York
Research Focus
Dr. Derek Daniels' research lab focuses on understanding how the brain controls thirst and hunger using a specific rat model. By studying Brattleboro rats, which have a unique condition affecting their thirst but not their appetite, the lab aims to uncouple the complex neural circuits involved in feeding and drinking behaviors. This research is important for developing treatments for conditions like obesity and diabetes that arise from imbalances in energy and fluid homeostasis.
thirsthungerneural circuitsBrattleboro ratsenergy homeostasisdiabetes insipidusglucagon-like peptide-1feeding behaviors
Research Aims
4AIM 01Investigate the neural circuits that control thirst in Brattleboro rats.
AIM 02Disentangle the overlapping pathways involved in hunger and thirst regulation.
AIM 03Assess the role of glucagon-like peptide-1 in fluid intake and feeding behavior.
AIM 04Identify targets for potential treatments of energy and fluid balance disorders.
Skills the Lab Values
animal handlingbehavioral analysismicrostructure analysisneuroanatomydata collectionstatistical analysissignal transduction techniquestissue processingfluorescence microscopy
Output against the department
Publications112bottom 32% of dept.198th of 296
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations1.9kbottom 18% of dept.243rd of 296
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.