Cited by 471Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorRegulation of Appetite and ObesityEating Disorders and Behaviors

Excessive sugar intake alters binding to dopamine and mu-opioid receptors in the brain

Colantuoni, C., Schwenker, J., McCarthy, J., Rada, P., Ladenheim, B., Cadet, J.-L., Schwartz, G. J., Moran, T. H. +1 more·2001·Neuroreport

Abstract

Palatable food stimulates neural systems implicated in drug dependence; thus sugar might have effects like a drug of abuse. Rats were given 25% glucose solution with chow for 12 h followed by 12 h of food deprivation each day. They doubled their glucose intake in 10 days and developed a pattern of excessive intake in the first hour of daily access. After 30 days, receptor binding was compared to chow-fed controls. Dopamine D-1 receptor binding increased significantly in the accumbens core and shell. In contrast, D-2 binding decreased in the dorsal striatum. Binding to dopamine transporter increased in the midbrain. Opioid mu-1 receptor binding increased significantly in the cingulate cortex, hippocampus, locus coeruleus and accumbens shell. Thus, intermittent, excessive sugar intake sensitized D-1 and mu-1 receptors much like some drugs of abuse.

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Crossref · 10.1097/00001756-200111160-00035

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Authors
Colantuoni, C., Schwenker, J., McCarthy, J., Rada, P., Ladenheim, B., Cadet, J.-L., Schwartz, G. J., Moran, T. H., & Hoebel, B. G.
Affiliations
  • Johns Hopkins University (US)
  • Princeton University (US)
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
Venue
Neuroreport
Published
2001-11
Volume
12
Issue
16
Pages
3549-3552
ISSN
0959-4965 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2000780784
Cited by
471
References
23
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 26 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 28 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 27 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 27
FWCI
2.59
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Neuroreport (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5r01ns030697-04)
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA-10608, R01DA010608)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NS30697)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
Keywords
sugar consumption, dopamine D1 receptor, dopamine D2 receptor, mu-opioid receptor, dopamine transporter, food deprivation, nucleus accumbens shell, dorsal striatum, cingulate cortex, hippocampus, locus coeruleus, drug addiction, palatable food, receptor sensitization
MeSH terms
Animals, Brain, Eating, Female, Glucose, Receptors, Dopamine, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Receptors, Opioid, mu, Dietary Sucrose, Rats

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