Biomaterial Database

Activity of single neurones in the hypothalamic feeding centres: effect of gastric distension. 1967

B K Anand, and R V Pillai

1. Unit activity from neurones of hypothalamic ;feeding' and ;satiety' centres, and from adjacent hypothalmic regions, was recorded by means of steel micro-electrodes inserted by a stereotaxic method, under Dial anaesthesia.2. The spike frequency of these neurones was observed during inflation of the stomach with intragastrically placed balloons, and during electrical stimulation of the gastric branches of the vagus. As control measures, distension of the peritoneal cavity and stimulation of a sensory nerve were also carried out. These tests were repeated after severing the gastric vagal branches.3. In fasted animals the frequency of spontaneous discharge was slower in the units of the satiety centre as compared with those of the feeding centre. The spike frequency of neurones in these two hypothalamic regions maintained an inverse relationship in all experimental situations.4. Distension of the stomach and stimulation of the gastric vagal branches increased the spike frequency of satiety neurones, decreased the spike frequency of feeding neurones, and did not produce any change in spike frequency of adjacent hypothalamic neurones. A few units in the lateral mammillary region also changed their spike frequency on gastric distension. These responses were abolished after severing the gastric nerves.5. The results suggest that distension of the stomach brings about satiation through vagal afferents activating the hypothalamic satiety mechanism.6. The role of this in the nervous regulation of food intake is discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007031	Hypothalamus	Ventral part of the DIENCEPHALON extending from the region of the OPTIC CHIASM to the caudal border of the MAMMILLARY BODIES and forming the inferior and lateral walls of the THIRD VENTRICLE.	Lamina Terminalis,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Area,Area, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Areas, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Preoptico Hypothalamic Area,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Areas
D008297	Male		Males
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D002415	Cats	The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801)	Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D005260	Female		Females
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001066	Appetite	Natural recurring desire for food. Alterations may be induced by APPETITE DEPRESSANTS or APPETITE STIMULANTS.	Appetite Alterations,Alteration, Appetite,Alterations, Appetite,Appetite Alteration,Appetites
D001069	Appetite Regulation	Physiologic mechanisms which regulate or control the appetite and food intake.	Food Intake Regulation,Intake Regulation, Food,Regulation, Appetite,Regulation, Food Intake,Appetite Regulations,Food Intake Regulations,Intake Regulations, Food,Regulations, Appetite,Regulations, Food Intake
D013238	Stereotaxic Techniques	Techniques used mostly during brain surgery which use a system of three-dimensional coordinates to locate the site to be operated on.	Stereotactic Techniques,Stereotaxic Technics,Stereotactic Technique,Stereotaxic Technic,Stereotaxic Technique,Technic, Stereotaxic,Technics, Stereotaxic,Technique, Stereotactic,Technique, Stereotaxic,Techniques, Stereotactic,Techniques, Stereotaxic
D013270	Stomach	An organ of digestion situated in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen between the termination of the ESOPHAGUS and the beginning of the DUODENUM.	Stomachs