Facilitation of recovery by -methyl-p-tyrosine after lateral hypothalamic damage

Rats with bilateral lateral hypothalamic lesions die of starvation in approximately 7 days after surgery. Rats that were treated with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine for 3 days prior to lateral hypothalamic surgery spontaneously eat, drink, and gain weight after surgery. These data suggest that recovery of function after lateral hypothalamic damage involves denervation supersensitivity.