Systematic Review of Binge Eating Rodent Models for Developing Novel or Repurposing Existing Pharmacotherapies

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Psychiatric disorders, including eating disorders, have historically relied on behavioral therapies.
• Recent pharmacotherapy advancements, like Lisdexamfatamine for binge eating disorder (BED), suggest a shift towards pharmacological interventions.
• Rodent models are crucial for developing and screening candidate pharmacotherapies for psychiatric conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of pharmacotherapies and compounds tested in established rodent models of binge eating behavior.
• To address the lack of consensus in defining pharmacological effectiveness within these models.
• To guide the determination of pharmacological effectiveness for novel or repurposed pharmacotherapies for BED.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of established rodent models for binge eating behavior.
• Analysis of pharmacotherapies and compounds tested in these models.
• Synthesis of findings to propose criteria for pharmacological effectiveness.

Main Results:

• Identified various pharmacotherapies and compounds evaluated in rodent models of binge eating.
• Highlighted inconsistencies in defining and measuring pharmacological effectiveness across studies.
• Demonstrated the utility of rodent models in preclinical pharmacotherapy assessment for BED.

Conclusions:

• Rodent models are valuable tools for evaluating potential pharmacotherapies for binge eating disorder.
• Establishing clear criteria for pharmacological effectiveness in these models is essential for advancing BED treatment.
• This review provides a foundation for future research in pharmacotherapy development for eating disorders.