Central melanocortins modulate mesocorticolimbic activity and food seeking behavior in the rat

Jon F Davis; Derrick L Choi; Jennifer D Shurdak; Eric G Krause; Maureen F Fitzgerald; Jack W Lipton; Randall R Sakai; Stephen C Benoit

doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2010.12.017

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Central melanocortins modulate mesocorticolimbic activity and food seeking behavior in the rat

Journal article

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Central melanocortins modulate mesocorticolimbic activity and food seeking behavior in the rat

Jon F Davis, Derrick L Choi, Jennifer D Shurdak, Eric G Krause, Maureen F Fitzgerald, Jack W Lipton, Randall R Sakai and Stephen C Benoit

Physiology & behavior, Vol.102(5), pp.491-495

03/28/2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2010.12.017

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https://hdl.handle.net/2376/105729

PMCID: PMC3040269

PMID: 21172367

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2010.12.017View

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Abstract

Melanocortins

Dopamine

Reward

Food seeking behavior

Mesocorticolimbic

The hypothalamic melanocortin system is known for its role in regulating energy homeostasis through it actions within hypothalamic brain centers. However, emerging evidence suggests that this system regulates addictive behaviors through signaling within mesolimbic neurons. Here, we hypothesized the melanocortin system modulates feeding behavior through its actions on mesolimbic neurons. In particular, we predicted that central administration of the melanocortin antagonist agouti-related peptide (AgRP) would activate midbrain dopamine neurons, increase mesolimbic dopamine turnover, and alter food seeking behaviors. We found that intraventricular administration of agouti-related peptide increased neuronal activation within midbrain dopamine neurons in addition to increasing dopamine turnover in the medial prefrontal cortex. Additionally, using the conditioned place preference paradigm to assay food seeking behavior, we report that central injection of agouti-related peptide attenuates the acquisition of a conditioned place preference for sucrose, but not high fat diet. These results suggest that the melanocortin system is capable of regulating mesocorticolimbic activity and food seeking behavior.

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Title: Central melanocortins modulate mesocorticolimbic activity and food seeking behavior in the rat
Creators: Jon F Davis - Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
Derrick L Choi - Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
Jennifer D Shurdak - Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
Eric G Krause - Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
Maureen F Fitzgerald - Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
Jack W Lipton - Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
Randall R Sakai - Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
Stephen C Benoit - Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
Publication Details: Physiology & behavior, Vol.102(5), pp.491-495
Academic Unit: Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, Department of
Publisher: Elsevier Inc
Identifiers: 99900546750301842
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article