Burn trauma induces anorexia and aberrations in CNS amine neurotransmitters.

A 30% surface area, full-thickness, open-flame burn of guinea pigs induced significant anorexia and rapid loss of body weight. Analysis of regional brain concentrations of amine neurotransmitters suggested burn-specific elevation of serotonergic neurotransmission, reduction of dopamine metabolism, and elevation of norepinephrine concentrations in brain areas thought to control feeding. These data suggest that specific regional aberrations in each of these amine neurotransmitters may contribute to the anorexia associated with major thermal injury.