Effects of melanin-concentrating hormone on licking microstructure and brief-access taste responses.

The effects of intracerebroventricular application of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) on licking for sucrose, quinine hydrochloride (QHCl), and water solutions were evaluated in two experiments. In experiment 1, rats received 90-min access to sucrose and water solutions after MCH or vehicle microinjection to the third ventricle (3V). MCH increased intake largely through increases in the rate of licking early in the meal and in the mean duration of lick bursts, suggesting an effect on gustatory evaluation.