[Response of hypothalamic neurons to different groups of afferent fibers of the subdiaphragmatic vagus nerve].

Responses of single units of posterior, anterior, ventromedial and lateral hypothalamus to stimulation of abdominal trunk of the vagus nerve were recorded in anesthetized cats simultaneously with the action potentials of the cervical region of the vagus nerve. 28.1% of the neurons responded to the stimulation, the pattern of responses being mainly excitatory. Vagal stimulation proved to be more effective for units of the lateral hypothalamus, 47.1% of the excitatory reactions followed stimulation of A gamma delta--B afferents and 40.4%--stimulation of C afferents of the vagus. Topical organization of the projection of these groups of visceral afferents to different regions of the hypothalamus was partially revealed. Responses of some A gamma sigma--B and C neurons to stimulation of vagus and sciatic nerves suggest convergence of visceral and somatic afferents to the "convergence" types of neurons. Some A gamma delta--B and C units, chiefly in the ventromedial hypothalamus, responded only to stimulation of visceral vagal afferents. The sensory properties of "visceral" neurons of the hypothalamus are discussed.