Activity-based anorexia alters hypothalamic POMC and orexin populations in male rats.

The objective of this study was to investigate the orexin and POMC populations in the hypothalamic nuclei of male Wistar rats after the activity-based anorexia (ABA) procedure. Four groups were established based on food restriction and activity: activity (A), ABA, diet (D) and control (C). The ABA protocol consisted of free access to a running wheel for a period of 22 h and access to food for 1 h.

Activation of serotonin 5-HT2A receptors inhibits high compulsive drinking on schedule-induced polydipsia.

Rationale: Schedule-induced polydipsia (SIP) is an established model for studying compulsive behaviour in rats. Serotoninergic drugs effectively reduce compulsive drinking on SIP, and high compulsive drinker rats selected by SIP have shown differences in serotoninergic brain activity. However, the specific serotoninergic receptors that modulate compulsive SIP remain unclear.

Impulsivity differences in recreational cannabis users and binge drinkers in a university population.

Background: Recreational cannabis use and alcohol binge drinking are the most common drug consumption patterns in young adults. Impulsivity and several psychopathological signs are increased in chronic drug users, but the implications of recreational use are still poorly understood.

Methods: We evaluated impulsivity, sensation-seeking traits, impulsive decision-making, inhibitory control and possible symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychosis in three groups of young university adults: recreational cannabis users (N=20), alcohol binge drinkers (N=22) and non-drug users (N=26).

Poor inhibitory control and neurochemical differences in high compulsive drinker rats selected by schedule-induced polydipsia.

Rationale: Schedule-induced polydipsia (SIP), characterized by the development of excessive drinking under intermittent food reinforcement schedules, has been proposed as a model for obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia and drug abuse.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate if individual differences in SIP reflect psychopathological behavioural traits related to lack of inhibitory control and reactivity to novelty, and if these differences have neurochemical correlates.

Methods: Outbred Wistar rats were selected for being either high (HD) or low (LD) drinkers according to their SIP behaviour.