Opiate and norepinephrine-induced feeding from the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus are dissociable.

Microinjection of d-ala-met-enkephalinamide (DALA) or norepinephrine (NE) into the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) elicits feeding. Manipulation of the pituitary-adrenal axis by dexamethasone or adrenalectomy is shown to alter NE- but not DALA-induced feeding. DALA-induced feeding is probably not due to activation of the glucocorticoid sensitive NE feeding system nor due to glucocorticoid-sensitive beta-endorphin release from the anterior pituitary.