Addiction-like behaviour towards high-fat high-sugar food predicts relapse propensity in both obesity prone and obesity resistant C57BL/6 J mice

Integrating the COM-B model into behavioral neuroscience: A framework for understanding animal behavior

In light of the intricate nature of animal behavior regulation, a theoretical model is proposed, grounded in the COM-B (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation - Behavior) framework, which has gained considerable traction in the domain of human behavioral intervention. When extending the COM-B model to behavioral neuroscience, we first discuss the utility of the model in animal research, particularly its capacity to integrate environmental and social factors, and enhance cross-species comparisons, including animal-to-human translations and evolutionary considerations. The subsequent discussion then summarizes the advantages of utilizing the COM-B model in neuroscience are summarized, including the facilitation of a systems-level understanding of behavior and the establishment of a link between neural mechanisms and specific behavioral components. The experimental design for the application of the COM-B model in neuroscience is proposed to elucidate the brain regulatory processes that govern behavior. Finally, three specific examples are provided to illustrate the theoretical considerations, namely feeding and social behavior, and the role of neuromodulators in the control of behavior.

Saturated and unsaturated high-fat diets induce addictive-like behavior in an animal model of operant self-administration

In recent years, obesity has become a significant public health concern worldwide. The rapid increase in prevalence is often attributed to the overconsumption of highly palatable, calorically dense foods that are rich in sugars and fats. These dietary habits have been shown to modulate specific brain circuits, notably the mesolimbic dopaminergic reward system. Despite extensive research into their effects, the potential reinforcing properties of these diets are still unknown. We conducted a study using two high-fat diets devoid of added sugar (SOLF, which is high in saturated fats and UOLF, high in unsaturated fats). We utilized an operant self-administration model with Skinner boxes, following a three-criteria protocol: 1) reward-seeking behavior, 2) motivation to obtain the reward, and 3) compulsivity. Juvenile C57BL/6J mice, both male and female, were subjected to an incremental reinforcement schedule followed by a progressive ratio session aimed at finding the breaking point, and finally, two cue-induced reinstatement sessions following the extinction of the food seeking behavior. Our results show that both diets induce potent seeking behavior for the high-fat food, characterized by high levels of compulsivity and great motivation to obtain the reward. These findings suggest that sugar-free high-fat diets function as potent reinforcers, capable of inducing addictive-like behaviors. Notably, differences between SOLF and UOLF are primarily observed in the breaking point and following the extinction of the seeking behavior, with higher values observed for UOLF.

Binge eating, overeating and food addiction: Approaches for examining food overconsumption in laboratory rodents

Overeating ranges in severity from casual overindulgence to an overwhelming drive to consume certain foods. At its most extreme, overeating can manifest as clinical diagnoses such as binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa, yet subclinical forms of overeating such as emotional eating or uncontrolled eating can still have a profoundly negative impact on health and wellbeing. Although rodent models cannot possibly capture the full spectrum of disordered overeating, studies in laboratory rodents have substantially progressed our understanding of the neurobiology of overconsumption. These experimental approaches range from simple food-exposure protocols that promote binge-like eating and the development of obesity, to more complex operant procedures designed to examine distinct 'addiction-like' endophenotypes for food. This review provides an overview of these experimental approaches, with the view to providing a comprehensive resource for preclinical investigators seeking to utilize behavioural models for studying the neural systems involved in food overconsumption.