Feeding induced by ventricular bromocriptine and amphetamine: a possible excitatory role for dopamine in eating behavior.

The effects of intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of the dopamine (DA) agonists, bromocriptine and d-amphetamine, on feeding and feeding-associated behaviors were examined. Male Wistar rats were injected ICV with 80-micrograms bromocriptine or its vehicle or with 10-micrograms d-amphetamine or saline. For 2 hr, the activity, duration of individual grooming, eating, and drinking bouts, and the amount of food and water consumed were recorded. Bromocriptine and amphetamine significantly increased the amount the animals ate and meal duration, but did not significantly affect the other observed behaviors (grooming, drinking, activity, or number of meals). The findings are interpreted as being consistent with the anhedonia hypothesis (Wise, 1982), in which DA is involved with the reinforcing components of external stimuli (i.e., food).