Effect of dopamine-receptor blockade on stimulation-induced feeding.

The effect of pimozide on stimulation-induced feeding was tested in food satiated rats. Pimozide produced a dose-dependent decrease in the number of animals eating during electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus. A quantal dose-response analysis yielded an ED50 of 0.323 mg/kg for pimozide. Because this dose is within the range of pimozide doses found to be effective in disrupting feeding in other tests, it seems likely that the neural substrate mediating stimulation-induced feeding is similar to that involved in deprivation-induced feeding.