Decreased septal-forebrain and lateral hypothalamic reward after alpha methyl-p-tyrosine

These results are consistent with a hypothesis of noradrenergic basis of reward despite the reported behavioral and other differences accompanying self-stimulation of LH and SF in bar-pressing situations.

Abstract

Twelve rats were trained to respond for rewarding electrical brain stimulation to either the lateral hypothalamus (LH) or septal-forebrain (SF) using a rate-free measure. Administration of DL-α-methyl-p-tyrosine produced a dose-dependent decrease in responding for stimulation at both sites. The magnitude of this decrease was additionally found to be dependent upon both electrode placement and the current intensity of stimulation. DL-p-chlorophenylalanine did not produce any significant changes in performance. These results are consistent with a hypothesis of noradrenergic basis of reward despite the reported behavioral and other differences accompanying self-stimulation of LH and SF in bar-pressing situations.