The future of research on thirst and salt appetite

Substantial progress has been made over the last 50 years in studies examining the neural and hormonal basis of thirst and salt appetite. We now understand much about the physiological systems that are engaged in response to perturbations of water and electrolyte balance, including the brain areas that are activated to elicit the appropriate behavioral responses as well as some of the neurotransmitters and hormones that are important in these behaviors. A brief summary of some of the critical and key findings associated with studies of thirst and salt appetite will be reviewed, followed by a discussion of three critical areas of research that have not been fully examined and represent viable future directions of this field.