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Nonamphetamine awakening agent modafinil induces feeding changes in the rat
S Nicolaidis1, Z De Saint Hilaire
1CNRS UA 637, INSERM, Neurobiologie des Regulations, Collège de France, Paris, France.
Brain Research Bulletin
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Modafinil, a wakefulness-promoting drug, reduces feeding and body weight in rats. Its effects on food intake show a U-shaped dose-response curve, with optimal effects at 20 and 40 mg/kg.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Metabolic studies
Background:
- Modafinil is known to increase wakefulness.
- Its effects on feeding and body weight require further elucidation.
- The alpha1 adrenergic receptor system is implicated in modafinil's actions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dose-dependent effects of modafinil on feeding and body weight in rats.
- To determine if modafinil influences water intake.
- To explore the relationship between sleep, feeding, and metabolism.
Main Methods:
- Administration of varying doses of modafinil (10, 20, 40, 80 mg/kg) to rats.
- Measurement of food and water intake over a 24-hour period.
- Monitoring of body weight changes.
Main Results:
- Modafinil decreased feeding and body weight in a U-shaped dose-response manner.
- Optimal reduction in food intake was observed at 20 and 40 mg/kg.
- No significant effects on water intake or compensatory feeding were noted.
- Body weight remained suppressed during the study period.
Conclusions:
- Modafinil's effects on feeding are dose-dependent and non-monotonic.
- The drug may influence metabolic regulation through its impact on wakefulness and appetite.
- Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms linking sleep, feeding, and metabolism.