Melanin concentrating hormone receptor ligands (especially
1-benzyl-4-aryl-piperazines, 1-benzyl-4-aryl-piperidines and related
compounds), capable of modulating MCH receptor activity, are provided.
Such ligands may be used to modulate MCH binding to MCH receptors in vivo
or in vitro, and are particularly useful in the treatment of a variety of
metabolic, feeding and sexual disorders in humans, domesticated companion
animals and livestock animals. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods
for treating such disorders are provided, as are methods for using such
ligands for detecting MCH receptors (e.g., receptor localization
studies).