Rats prove link between cocaine and binge-eating

RATS hooked on sausage and cheesecake confirmed the link between compulsive eating and cocaine addiction.

Binge-eaters and drug addicts are both at the mercy of the same molecular effects in the brain, the research suggests.

The findings may explain why some people find it so hard to stop gorging on junk food.

Scientists found that obesity coincides with a progressive chemical imbalance in the brain's "reward" circuits.

These produce feelings of pleasure from activities such as eating and sex, and are known to play a role in addiction.

As the reward centres become less responsive, rats given easy access to fatty food quickly develop compulsive over-eating habits, the US research showed.

The animals consumed ever larger amounts of calories until they become obese.

Exactly the same changes in the brain occurred when the rats were given cocaine or heroin.