Menstrual cycle effects on the action of buspirone on food intake in healthy female volunteers

We studied the effect of single doses of the 5-HT1Aagonist buspirone (10 mg and 20 mg) on food intake during the menstrual cycle of nine healthy women, none of whom were on a contraceptive pill. In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial, subjects were tested over three cycles, receiving one treatment per cycle. Within each cycle, they were tested at two time points; mid-follicular and late luteal. Food intake following 20 mg buspirone was significantly higher in the luteal phase, suggesting the possibility of pre-menstrually enhanced 5-HT receptor sensitivity.