PHARMACOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO APPETITE SUPPRESSION

It is relatively easy to demonstrate drug-induced anorexia in animals, but the significance of such suppression of eating is often doubtful. Of the many agents shown to be 'active' in animals, only a very few are genuine appetite suppressants with clinical potential. Drugs that increase central 5-HT levels, or that activate peripherally acting peptides, are currently among the most promising candidates. John Blundell advocates a systems approach to the study of appetite control. Drug-induced changes in feeding should be interpreted according to a system which involves behaviour, peripheral physiology and brain neural pathways. Appetite involves more than alterations of food intake; the concept should take into account changes in hunger, food preferences, responses to taste and changes in macronutrient preferences.