# The homeostatic dynamics of feeding behaviour identify novel mechanisms of anorectic agents

## TL;DR

This study develops a stochastic model of rodent feeding behavior to analyze how different anorectic agents affect feeding patterns, revealing new insights into homeostatic control mechanisms and potential strategies for reducing food intake.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a novel stochastic model of rodent feeding behavior that captures the complexity of feeding dynamics and assesses the effects of anorectic agents on these behaviors.

## Key findings

- Different anorectic agents cause distinct behavioral changes.
- Homeostatic control mechanisms resist food intake reduction.
- Modulating gastric emptying or intermeal intervals can effectively reduce feeding.

## Abstract

Better understanding of feeding behaviour will be vital in reducing obesity and metabolic syndrome, but we lack a standard model that captures the complexity of feeding behaviour. We construct an accurate stochastic model of rodent feeding at the bout level in order to perform quantitative behavioural analysis. Analysing the different effects on feeding behaviour of PYY 3-36, lithium chloride, GLP-1 and leptin shows the precise behavioural changes caused by each anorectic agent, and demonstrates that these changes do not mimic satiety. In the ad libitum fed state during the light period, meal initiation is governed by complete stomach emptying, whereas in all other conditions there is a graduated response. We show how robust homeostatic control of feeding thwarts attempts to reduce food intake, and how this might be overcome. In silico experiments suggest that introducing a minimum intermeal interval or modulating gastric emptying can be as effective as anorectic drug administration.