Dexfenfluramine: effects on food intake in various animal models.

The effects of dexfenfluramine on food intake of rats are compared and contrasted among several paradigms. Paradigms that involve overfeeding rather than deprivation, show a greater effect of the agent. Furthermore, both stress-induced eating as well as a food-motivated response (running) are particularly sensitive to inhibition by dexfenfluramine. The results of chronic administration of dexfenfluramine on both behavior and neurochemistry are reviewed, with particular reference to brain 5-HT. The effects of dexfenfluramine on diet selection and conditioned preferences are discussed. Finally, we suggest that species differences may exist in either the neurochemical and/or behavioral responses to dexfenfluramine.