The exogenous administration of the brain/gut peptide cholecystokinin (CCK) inhibits food intake in a variety of species, including subhuman primates and humans. To determine the role of endogenously released CCK in the control of food intake in rhesus monkeys, we examined the ability of the selective type A and type B CCK antagonists devazepide and L-365260 to affect total daily food intake and various meal patterns. Various doses of the antagonists were administered intragastrically 30 min before a daily 4-h feeding period. One-gram food pellets were delivered in response to lever pulls, and intake was computer monitored. Intragastric administration of the type A CCK receptor antagonist devazepide (10-320 micrograms/kg) significantly increased food intake in a dose-related fashion. The threshold for increasing intake was 32 micrograms/kg, and a maximal effect was obtained at a dose of 100 micrograms/kg that increased total 4-h food intake by 47%. The effect of devazepide on food intake was mediated by significant increases in the size and duration of the initial meal, lengthening of the subsequent intermeal interval, and a decrease in the satiety ratio (intermeal interval/1st meal size). In contrast, intragastric administration of the type B CCK receptor antagonist L-365260 (3.2-320 micrograms/kg) did not significantly affect total food intake or any of the meal parameters. These data demonstrate that endogenously released CCK acting through type A CCK receptors plays a role in regulating food intake in rhesus monkeys.