Brain research
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In some medial forebrain bundle (MFB) sites, self-stimulation is often modulated by hunger or satiety. With electrodes in the nucleus accumbens (NAC) such modulation rarely occurs. The influence of food deprivation on MFB self-stimulation is the main basis for the hypothesis that electrical stimulation of the MFB can mimic the rewarding effect of food for hungry animals. ⋯ Rewarding NAC stimulation, however, does not inhibit most LHA neurons that are inhibited by food. This result suggests that LHA neurons which are inhibited by food might be involved in mediation of the rewarding effect of electrical stimulation at some sites in the MFB. Nevertheless, self-stimulation may occur by activating reward processes other than those related to food, because rewarding NAC stimulation does not inhibit LHA neurons which are suppressed by food.