Date of Defense

4-23-2026

Date of Graduation

5-2026

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Lisa Baker

Second Advisor

Anthony DeFulio

Abstract

This study utilized the Novelty Suppressed Feeding Test (NSFT) to examine the effects of the novel psychoactive substance, N-methyl-5-(2-aminopropyl)benzofuran (5-MAPB) on anxious behavior in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Forty rats (20 males and 20 females) were administered intraperitoneal injections of either saline or 5-MAPB according to a binge-dose protocol. Behavioral responses, including latency to begin consuming food, amount of food consumed, approach behaviors, and rearing were recorded over a 5 min period in the novel test environment, and immediately after the test, latency to begin consuming food and amount of food consumed were recorded during a 5 min period in the home cage environment. The results supported the validity of the NSFT as an approach-avoidance conflict model for evaluating anxiety-related feeding behaviors in a novel environment. 5-MAPB exhibited mixed behavioral effects within the NSFT. 5-MAPB reduced latency to consume food, indicating an anxiolytic effect; however, the decrease in platform approaches may suggest an anxiogenic effect. The observed sex differences in food approach and food-consumption behavior underscore the importance of accounting for biological sex in preclinical drug development. Continued research is warranted to further investigate the effects of 5-MAPB and its potential therapeutic applications for anxiety-related disorders.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Restricted

Restricted to Campus until

6-25-2027

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Available for download on Friday, June 25, 2027

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