Random and food-directed activity in hyperphagic and normal rats.

Abstract

Using obese hypothalamic hyperphagic rats, recently operated nonobese hyperphagic rats, and normal control animals, random activity before, during, and after food deprivation, and food-directed activity during deprivation were measured. Random activity was greater in normal animals, and they showed greater increase during deprivation. Under low-work conditions hyperphagics showed more food-directed bar pressing, but they showed less under high-work conditions. It was concluded that hyperphagic animals show a lowered drive to obtain food and that nonobese hyperphagics are influenced more by food deprivation than are obese animals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)