When scientists turned on a specific type of brain receptor in the hunger center of fasted rats, the rats ate more food—and when they turned it off, the rats ate less.
Scientific Claim
Activation of dopamine D1-like receptors in the ventromedial hypothalamus of 24-hour food-deprived male Wistar rats increases food intake in a dose-dependent manner, and this effect is blocked by D1-like receptor antagonism.
Original Statement
“Results demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in food intake following SKF38393 administration, an effect significantly attenuated by SCH23390 as a selective D1-like receptor antagonist.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
overstated
Study Design Support
Design cannot support claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
Based on abstract only - full methodology not available to verify. The abstract implies causation ('increases', 'attenuated by') but does not confirm experimental controls, randomization, or blinding. Verb strength must be conservative.
More Accurate Statement
“Activation of dopamine D1-like receptors in the ventromedial hypothalamus of 24-hour food-deprived male Wistar rats is associated with increased food intake in a dose-dependent manner, and this association is reduced by D1-like receptor antagonism.”
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
When scientists turned on a specific brain receptor in hungry rats, the rats ate more—and they ate even more with higher doses. When they blocked that same receptor, the rats stopped eating more, proving the receptor controls how much they eat.