Abstract

CORTES-SALAZAR, FELIPE et al. EFFECTS OF CB1 CANNABINOID RECEPTOR ACTIVATION IN THE NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS SHELL ON FEEDING BEHAVIOR. Act.Colom.Psicol. [online]. 2014, vol.17, n.2, pp.61-68. ISSN 0123-9155.  https://doi.org/10.14718/ACP.2014.17.2.7.

Obesity and its related pathologies are well- known health hazards. Although obesity and overweight have multifactorial causes, overeating is common in both of these conditions. According to animal models, endocannabinoids and their receptors in the brain play a key role in the genesis and development of obesity. It has been proposed that the cannabinoid receptors CB1 (RCB1) expressed in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAC) are involved in the increase of the hedonic properties of food. To test this hypothesis, this study aimed to assess the effects of activating the NACs RCB1 on standard food intake during the light phase of the light-dark cycle. The effects of activating the RCB1 with CP 55,940 and WIN 55-212-2 (0.125, 0.25 and 0.5 nmol) in the NACS on feeding behavior and the behavioral satiety sequence of rats were assessed. It was found that both agonists increased food intake and delayed expression of satiety during the light phase. These results suggest that cannabinoid agonists encourage food intake when motivation is low and palatability is normal.

Keywords : Cannabinoids; food; nucleus accumbens shell; behavioral satiety sequence.

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