Selective damage of neuron perikarya in the medial septum of the rat forebrain: effects on food and water intake, urine output and body weight.

The intraseptal administration of the neurotoxin kainic acid (KA) induced a significant depletion of the neuronal population and glial proliferation in medial septal areas. The behavioral effects induced by this selective destruction of the neurons indigenous to the medial septal areas were investigated. KA produced a marked increase in urine output and a transient reduction in body weight, but failed to affect water and food intake.