Short-term oral sensory deprivation: possible cause of binge eating in sham-feeding dogs.

Six mongrel dogs (18-20 kg) were prepared with gastric and esophageal fistulas. All dogs were studied under four experimental conditions. In conditions 1 and 3 the dogs were allowed to sham feed either a high-palatable or low-palatable meal on days 1-5 followed by a sham feed of a high-palatable or low-palatable meal on day 6. In conditions 2 and 4 the dogs were not sham fed (oral sensory deprived) on days 1-5 but were allowed to sham feed either a high-palatable or low-palatable meal on day 6. Total caloric requirement during each 6-day study was given by infusion of a liquid diet (Isocal) through the gastric fistula following the experiment. In condition 4, dogs deprived of oral sensation on days 1-5, significantly overconsumed their low-palatable meal on day 6. In condition 2, dogs deprived of oral sensation on days 1-5 also overconsumed their high-palatable meal on day 6, although this did not reach statistical significance. Dogs that received oral stimulation days 1-5 (conditions 1 and 3) did not overconsume their high- and low-palatable meals on day 6, suggesting that binge eating following short-term oral deprivation may be avoided if the diet provides adequate oral sensory stimulation. Body weights were well maintained throughout each study period and no changes were observed.

Duke Scholars

Author Theodore N. Pappas Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery