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Baclofen decreases feeding in non-human primates
1Division on Substance Abuse, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, NY 10032, USA. rwf2@columbia.edu
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|December 20, 2005
Summary
Baclofen, a GABA-b agonist, did not increase food intake in primates as seen in rodents. Instead, it disrupted feeding behaviors, suggesting non-specific effects at higher doses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Pharmacology
Background:
- Baclofen, a GABA-b agonist, is known to increase food intake in rodents.
- Its effects on feeding behavior in non-human primates are less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of baclofen on appetitive and consummatory feeding behaviors in baboons.
- To compare primate responses to baclofen with known rodent responses.
Main Methods:
- A two-phase operant procedure was used to assess feeding in baboons.
- Baclofen (0.5-5.6 mg/kg, p.o.) and diazepam (1.0-2.0 mg/kg, i.m.) were administered.
- Appetitive (lever responding for stimuli) and consummatory (lever responding for food) behaviors were measured.
Main Results:
- Baclofen increased latency to the first meal and decreased both appetitive and consummatory behaviors.
- High doses of baclofen induced emesis, suggesting malaise.
- Diazepam decreased meal latency and increased both appetitive and consummatory behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Baclofen's effects on consummatory behavior in primates differ from rodent studies.
- Large doses of baclofen may cause non-specific behavioral disruptions in non-human primates.
- GABA-a agonists like diazepam appear to facilitate feeding behaviors in this model.