Running and addiction: precipitated withdrawal in a rat model of activity-based anorexia

Exercise improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and bones, stimulates neuroplasticity, and promotes feelings of well-being. However, when taken to extremes, exercise can develop into an addictive-like behavior. To assess the addictive potential of exercise, withdrawal symptoms following...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Behavioral neuroscience Vol. 123; no. 4; p. 905
Main Authors: Kanarek, Robin B, D'Anci, Kristen E, Jurdak, Nicole, Mathes, Wendy Foulds
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States 01.08.2009
Subjects:
Analysis of Variance
Animals
Anorexia - physiopathology
Body Weight - drug effects
Disease Models, Animal
Feeding Behavior - drug effects
Feeding Behavior - physiology
Female
Male
Motor Activity - drug effects
Motor Activity - physiology
Naloxone - administration & dosage
Naloxone - pharmacology
Narcotic Antagonists - administration & dosage
Narcotic Antagonists - pharmacology
Physical Conditioning, Animal
Rats
Rats, Long-Evans
Sex Characteristics
Substance Withdrawal Syndrome - physiopathology
ISSN:1939-0084, 1939-0084
Online Access:Get more information
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Summary:Exercise improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and bones, stimulates neuroplasticity, and promotes feelings of well-being. However, when taken to extremes, exercise can develop into an addictive-like behavior. To assess the addictive potential of exercise, withdrawal symptoms following injections of 1.0 mg/kg naloxone were compared in active and inactive male and female rats. Active and inactive rats were given food for 1 hr or 24 hr/day. Additionally, a group of inactive rats was pair-fed the amount of food consumed on the previous day by food-restricted active rats. Rats fed for 1 hr/day decreased food intake and lost weight. Additionally, food-restricted active rats increased wheel running. There was a direct relationship between the intensity of running and the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Active food-restricted rats displayed the most withdrawal symptoms, followed by active rats given 24-hr access to food. Only minimal withdrawal symptoms were observed in inactive rats. These findings support the hypothesis that exercise-induced increases in endogenous opioid peptides act in a manner similar to chronic administration of opiate drugs.
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ISSN:1939-0084
1939-0084
DOI:10.1037/a0015896