AVERSION TO LATERAL HYPOTHALAMIC STIMULATION CAUSED BY INTRAGASTRIC FEEDING OR OBESITY

Performed 2 experiments with Sherman female rats bearing lateral hypothalamic electrodes that elicited eating, self-stimulation, and stimulation-escape. After tube feeding, but not after sham feeding, rate of response to escape stimulation increased. The effect lasted 1-2 hr. A program of stimulation-bound feeding combined with self-stimulation caused self-induced hyperphagia leading to increased body weight. When Ss had gained 100 gm. or more, their mean escape rate tripled. Then food intake was restricted, and escape rate decreased gradually along with body weight. Self-stimulation varied inversely with escape rate. It is concluded that lateral hypothalamic aversion increases with overfeeding or overweight and may therefore play a role in satiety. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.