[Hypothalamic neurons and zoosocial interactions].

Unit activity in the lateral hypothalamic area was recorded in rats after testing by the emotional resonance technique. The rats were divided in two groups by their reaction to the suffering cry of the partner ("victim"). Rats from the group I ("altruists") escaped ("victim") crying, and those from the group II ("egoists") did not. Activity of neurons was analysed in hungry rats, after feeding, after placing the "victim" into the experimental chamber, during intracranial emotionally positive and negative stimulation, and during crying of the "victim". The results showed that the majority of neurons of the rats from the I group responded to the partner's crying in the same way as to the intracranial emotionally negative stimulation and the reaction of the neurons of the rats from the II group was either poorly expressed or resembled that to the intracranial emotionally positive stimulation.