Direct, continuous behavioral analysis of drug action on feeding.

Analysis of rodent feeding behavior during the study of anorectic drugs reveals that contextual variables such as type of food, drug, environment, and physiological state influence food intake. Temporal changes in behavior can signal the onset of a feeding modulation process, as is the case with anorectic drugs acting on distinct neurochemical mechanisms that change temporal behavioral profiles. Comparing the effects of anorectic agents in controlled animal assays can identify potential therapeutic drugs that may influence human eating behavior. This unit specifies the materials and procedures required for continuously monitoring the Behavioral Satiety Sequence, as well as a device for continuous, automatic measurement of the mass of food consumption by the animal during behavioral monitoring called the RUEMA (Rat Universal Eating Monitor Apparatus).