Conditioned diminution of brain stimulation hyperphagia.

Abstract

It is well established that electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus (ESLH) can lead to stimulus-bound feeding in many different species. The present study examined the effect of a warning signal on ESLH-induced feeding. When rats are warned of ESLH (through Pavlovian conditioning), their latencies to start eating from ESLH onset are longer (approximately 2.5X) than when they are not warned. Thus, the rats are able to prepare for the maladaptive situation of eating when satiated.