Effects of daily food restriction on methamphetamine‐induced behavioral rhythms in suprachiasmatic nuclei lesioned rats

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Abstract
Male suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) lesioned, blinded rats were treated with chronic Methamphet‐amine (MA) via the drinking water. Body temperature, wheel running, food intake and drinking activity were automatically and continuously recorded. MA induced phase‐labile rhythms with periods outside the circadian range. The circadian rhythms in partially SCN‐lesioned rats reappeared without phase‐shifts upon withdrawal of one month of MA treatment. The MA‐induced rhythms persisted during food restriction and were synchronized by the time of food access. A phase shift of food access was followed by an immediate phase shift of the rhythms. These findings suggest that 1) the MA‐induced rhythms reflect an hourglass‐like oscillation 2) the SCN is not essential for their induction and 3) a cycle of food restriction acts as a Zeitgeber for this type of oscillation.