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has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Development of a Behavioral and Imaging Model of Feeding in Planarians

  AUTHORS: Robert B. Raffa, Christopher S. Tallarida, Shan R. Patel, Scott M. Rawls, Evgeny Krynetskiy

  KEYWORDS: Feeding; Imaging; Fluorescence; GFP; Planarians

  JOURNAL NAME: Pharmacology & Pharmacy, Vol.3 No.3, July 5, 2012

  ABSTRACT: Excess weight is a major risk factor for type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other comorbidities. Animal models of feeding provide insight into the problem and provide a means for the discovery and evaluation of pharmacotherapeutic treatment. Mammalian models are the most commonly used, but recently non-mammalian models have been utilized (e.g., C. elegans). Planarians provide an intermediate model. They are the earliest extant animal with a primitive brain-like structure and are a convenient model of mammalian behavioral endpoints and drug-induced effects. The purpose of the present study was to determine if a quantitative measure of presumptive feeding behavior could be visualized using an imaging technique. Colored food pellets were prepared and in some experiments, plasmid-delivered green fluorescent protein was added. Both visible and fluorescence microscopy displayed clear indication of internalization of the red dye and localization to the digestive system. This new methodology establishes a convenient way to study normal physiological feeding behavior as well as modifications induced by drugs or other exogenous substances.