Amphetamine- and morphine-induced feeding: evidence for involvement of reward mechanisms

The present study examined the possibility that the increased feeding found following central and peripheral administrations of low doses of d-amphetamine (AMP) and morphine (MOR) may involve central reward mechanisms. In order to examine this possibility, the effects of these drugs on food selection and intake of foods that varied in palatability and nutritive content were determined. In addition, the importance of the nucleus accumbens (ACB), a critical structure for AMP and MOR reward, in these effects was determined. Results indicated that MOR increased the intake of preferred food regardless of nutritive content. In contrast, AMP was most effective at increasing the intake of preferred foods which contained carbohydrates. These effects were observed following systematic or intra-ACB administration of low doses of MOR and AMP. Together these findings implicate reward mechanisms in the expression of MOR- and AMP-induced feeding. It is further suggested that the feeding effects of MOR and AMP can be differentiated in paradigms where animals have a choice of several foods which may vary in palatability and/or nutritive content. The relevance of the present findings for our understanding of which elements of food and feeding behavior are coupled with ACB reward signals is also discussed.