PHARMACOLOGY OF INGESTIVE BEHAVIOR

We have attempted to provide a progress report on current research on the role of catecholamines and serotonin receptor subtypes in feeding control. Recent evidence suggests that only some of the several catech olamine receptor subtytpes are specifically involved in feeding contro l. They include the beta(1/2)-adrenoceptors, the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor s and the D-1 dopamine receptors: stimulation of these receptors reduc es feeding in rats. Stimulation of serotonergic 5-HT1B and 5-HT2C rece ptors reduces feeding and perhaps enhances the satiating effect of foo d. Recently, an interesting reciprocal relation between serotonin and cholecystokinin has been discovered in relation to feeding control. Th e serotonergic 5-HT2A receptors are involved in stress-induced anorexi a and regulate the hyperphagia induced by neuropeptide Y in the nucleu s paraventricularis of the hypothalamus. Both effects may involve chan ges in the secretion of corticotropin-releasing factor. These findings may help elaborate neuronal models of feeding control and perhaps fac ilitate progress in the pharmacotherapy of human obesity and eating di sorders.