The effects of haloperidol infusions into the hypothalamus and nucleus accurnbens on sucrose sham feeding

Abstract

<p> The present thesis examined the relative contribution of hypothalamic and nucleus accumbens dopaminergic activity to the control of sucrose sham feeding. Bilateral intracranial infusions of the dopamine antagonist, haloperidol at doses of 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 ug, into the hypothalamus and nucleus accumbens produced dose-dependent suppressions of sham feeding of a 15% sucrose solution. No differences in temporal pattern of intake were observed between hypothalamic and nucleus accumbens infusions under drug or vehicle conditions. Also, motor deficits were observed with the highest dose of haloperidol (7.5 ug) while the three lower doses inhibited sham feeding without obvious signs of motor impairment. These results suggest that mesolimbic as well as hypothalamic dopaminergic activity mediate the hedonic aspects of feeding. </p>