Effect of electrode implantation and electrical stimulation of hypothalamus of food intake in cats.

Electrodes were implanted into HL in cats. Influence of implantation on daily food intake and alimentary preferences was investigated. Then, the particular sites were stimulated electrically and the general behavior of cats and their attitude towards the food was observed. Implantation effected food intake in different manner in particular individuals. All animals changed their preferences in the direction of raw meat. Electrical stimulation of sites producing alimentary behavior (10 from the 35 investigated) caused the same preference. Alimentary behavior occuring during the stimulation of these sites seems not to be related to the increase of hunger drive.