The effect of peripherally administered 6-hydroxydopamine on food and water intake in rats

The effect of peripheral administration of a single dose of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA; 100 mg/kg i.p.) on ingestive behaviours in adult rats has been studied. Individual food and water intakes were measured daily for a period of 7 days following treatment. Most animals became hypophagic for up to 72 hours and hypodipsic for up to 24 hours. The possibility that peripherally administered 6-OHDA may enter the CSF by means of the circum-ventricular organs and thereby exert central behavioural effects is discussed.