Animal models of sugar and fat bingeing: Relationship to food addiction and increased body weight

Nicole M. Avena, Miriam E. Bocarsly, Bartley G. Hoebel

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

96 Scopus citations

Abstract

Binge eating is a behavior that occurs in some eating disorders, as well as in obesity and in nonclinical populations. Both sugars and fats are readily consumed by human beings and are common components of binges. This chapter describes animal models of sugar and fat bingeing, which allow for a detailed analysis of these behaviors and their concomitant physiological effects. The model of sugar bingeing has been used successfully to elicit behavioral and neurochemical signs of dependence in rats; e.g., indices of opiate-like withdrawal, increased intake after abstinence, cross-sensitization with drugs of abuse, and the repeated release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens following repeated bingeing. Studies using the model of fat bingeing suggest that it can produce some, but not all, of the signs of dependence that are seen with sugar binge eating, as well as increase body weight, potentially leading to obesity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationPsychiatric Disorders
Subtitle of host publicationMethods and Protocols
EditorsFiras Kobeissy
Pages351-365
Number of pages15
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameMethods in Molecular Biology
Volume829
ISSN (Print)1064-3745

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Keywords

  • Binge eating
  • Body weight
  • Dopamine
  • Fat
  • Food addiction
  • Nucleus accumbens
  • Sugar

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