Relationship between feeding and satiation centers of the hypothalamus.

Electrodes were implanted in the hypothalamus of five goats in which an alimentary instrumental conditioned reflex had been previously established. Electrical stimulation of the ventromedial hypothalamus inhibited the conditioned movements and food intake in hungry goats. This also occurred in those satiated goats in which eating and conditioned movements were elicited by stimulation of the lateral hypothalamic area. Withdrawal of the stimulation of the medial hypothalamus evoked a short aftereffect in the form of a recovery or increase in the trained movements and food intake.