Central and peripheral contributions to the enhancement of amphetamine anorexia by desmethylimipramine (DMI).

Intrahypothalamic administration of amphetamine to rats increased food intake, but pre-treatment with the alpha-receptor antagonist phentolamine unmasked an anorexic effect commensurate with that seen after peripheral amphetamine administration. Pretreatment with systemic DMI increased anorexia after peripheral or central amphetamine administration, but the enhancement of centrally-induced anorexia was small. It is concluded that enhancement of the anorexic effect of peripherally administered amphetamine by DMI is primarily a peripheral phenomenon, with interactions within the central nervous system making a relatively minor contribution.