Identical "Feeding" and "Rewarding" Systems in the Lateral Hypothalamus of Rats

• DOI: 10.1126/science.135.3501.374
• Publication Date: 2006-10-05T08:58:10Z
• Authors: D. L. Margules; J. Olds
• Keywords: Lateral hypothalamus; Stimulus (psychology); Brain stimulation reward

Electrodes were implanted in the lateral hypothalamic feeding system; animals subjected to both and motivational tests. All that demonstrated stimulus-bound behavior also showed high self-stimulation rates. As it was impossible produce response without simultaneously producing rewarding effect of stimulation, concluded system hypothalamus is one among a larger group places where stimulation causes primary effects. With electrodes these same areas, food deprivation often caused major increment rate.