Feeding induced by GABAA receptor stimulation within the nucleus accumbens shell:: Regional mapping and characterization of macronutrient and taste preference

This study investigated the areas of the nucleus accumbens shell involved in the modulation of feeding behavior by GABAergic stimulation and characterized this response using macronutrient diets as well as saline, sucrose, and saccharin solutions. The GABA agonist muscimol induced a pronounced feeding response when infused in the medial nucleus accumbens shell but not in the ventral or lateral accumbens shell. In the macronutrient preference study, muscimol increased the intake of both high fat and high carbohydrate diets when presented separately. When both diets were available simultaneously, muscimol stimulated feeding of both diets to the same degree. Muscimol elicited a robust increase in the consumption of sucrose solution. However, no effect of muscimol was demonstrated for water, saline, or saccharin intake. These findings provide evidence for a selective role for GABA-sensitive neurons in the medial accumbens shell in the regulation of ingestive behavior and further suggest that GABA(A) receptors in this region do not modulate palatability, macronutrient selection, or rewarding properties of food.