Hypothalamic Control of Feeding and Self-Stimulation

Hypothalamic sites which control feeding exert a corresponding control over lateral hypothalamic self-stimulation. This was demonstrated in rats bearing four, intrahypothalamic electrode-cannulas for electrical stimulation or chemical injection. Self-stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus was inhibited by ventromedial excitation or by excessive feeding. Both self-stimulation and feeding were accelerated (disinhibited) by ventromedial ablation or anesthetization. Thus food acts via the ventromedial hypothalamus to inhibit not only feeding, but also lateral hypothalamic self-stimulation.