Protocols Using Rodents to Model Eating Disorders in Humans

Dysfunctional feeding behavior has a bidirectional aspect, too little and too much. The former reflects restricted eating and, in extreme, becomes an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa (AN). The latter reflects lack of restraint and leads to obesity and life-shortening metabolic syndrome. Both of these dysfunctions have proven extremely difficult to prevent or treat, and the use of animal models that have translational validity may be one of the most cost-effective ways of advancing. This chapter describes some of the laboratory protocols using rodents that are available to model human eating dysfunctions.