Date of Award
4-1985
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Frederick P. Gault
Second Advisor
Dr. Alan Poling
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
Nutrients, when ingested in isolation from other food stuffs or in excess, may produce drug-like action on neurotransmitter activity in the CNS. Administration of aspartame exclusively or in combination with d-amphetamine was found to produce weight loss and display of emotionality in rats as measured in an open field apparatus. The possible neurochemical action of aspartame was discussed relative to the well documented stimulatory effects on catecholamines of d-amphetamine and three putative mechanisms were explored: 1) formation of minor amines from the increased precursor pool, 2) increased synthesis of catecholamines in response to the increased precursor pool, and 3) decrease in CNS levels of the putative neuro-inhibitor serotonin due to competative uptake at the blood-brain barrier.
Recommended Citation
Larsen, Linda Dianne Dykema, "The Effects of Aspartame on Locomotion and Body Weight in Rats" (1985). Masters Theses. 4501.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/4501