How Glucose Affects Behavior and Dopamine Release in Rats
Author Information
Author(s): Oliveira-Maia Albino J., Roberts Craig D., Walker Q. David, Luo Brooke, Kuhn Cynthia, Simon Sidney A., Nicolelis Miguel A. L.
Primary Institution: Duke University Medical Center
Hypothesis
The study investigates whether postabsorptive mechanisms of glucose influence behavioral and dopaminergic responses independently of taste.
Conclusion
The study concludes that postabsorptive effects of glucose are sufficient to induce behavioral and dopaminergic responses, with hepatic-portal vein glycemia being more significant than systemic glycemia.
Supporting Evidence
- High concentration glucose solutions administered in the jugular vein conditioned a side-bias in rats.
- Lower concentration glucose solutions conditioned robust behavioral responses when administered in the hepatic-portal vein.
- Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry showed increased dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens shell after hepatic-portal administration of glucose.
Takeaway
When rats eat sugar, their bodies can tell them it's good for them even if they can't taste it, and this happens more when the sugar is absorbed in their gut.
Methodology
The study used behavioral tests and fast-scan cyclic voltammetry to measure dopamine release in rats after administering glucose through different routes.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from the specific conditions under which the experiments were conducted, including the use of anesthesia in some tests.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on male rats, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other populations.
Participant Demographics
The study involved 144 male Long-Evans and Sprague-Dawley rats.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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