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Dexfenfluramine and body weight regulation: experimental study with hoarding behavior
M Fantino1, H Boucher, F Faïon
1Laboratoire de Neurobiologie des Comportements Alimentaires, Université de Bourgogne, Faculté de Médecine de Dijon, France.
Clinical Neuropharmacology
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Dexfenfluramine effectively inhibits hoarding behavior at low doses, with the effective dose 40 (ED 40) at 0.3 mg/kg. This action is mediated by serotonin receptors, as confirmed by blocking effects with metergoline.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Hoarding behavior is a complex response influenced by various neurochemical systems.
- Serotonin is implicated in the regulation of motivated behaviors, including hoarding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of dexfenfluramine, a serotonin agonist, in inhibiting hoarding behavior.
- To determine the dose-response relationship and receptor mediation of dexfenfluramine's effect on hoarding.
Main Methods:
- Administration of dexfenfluramine at varying low doses to assess its impact on food-motivated hoarding behavior.
- Pretreatment with metergoline (serotonin-receptor blocker) and haloperidol (dopamine antagonist) to elucidate the mechanism of action.
Main Results:
- Dexfenfluramine potently inhibited hoarding behavior, with an ED 40 of approximately 0.3 mg/kg.
- Pretreatment with metergoline significantly suppressed the inhibitory effect of dexfenfluramine.
- Haloperidol did not modify the dexfenfluramine-induced inhibition of hoarding.
Conclusions:
- Dexfenfluramine is an effective inhibitor of hoarding behavior at very low doses.
- The mechanism of action for dexfenfluramine's inhibition of hoarding is primarily mediated through serotoninergic pathways.
- Dopaminergic pathways do not appear to play a significant role in this specific effect.