CONTINUOUS-INFUSION OF NEUROPEPTIDE-Y IN THE SCN DECREASES FOOD-INTAKE IN RATS

WE investigated the effect of chronic infusion of neuropeptide Y (NPY) aimed at the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) or the latera l cerebral ventricle (LCV) on food intake. The experiments were perfor med in adult male Wister rats infused far 7 days with saline or NPY (1 0 and 100 pmol mu l(-1)h(-1)) into the SCN (n = 18) or LCV (n = 17). I nfusion of the lower dose of NPY in the SCN significantly decreased fo od intake, whereas infusion of the higher dose did not, There was no c hange in food intake specific to saline or either dose of NPY with inf usion in the LCV. It is concluded that chronic infusion of NPY into th e SCN at a dose of 10 pmol h(-1) inhibits food intake in rats.