Activation of brain regions in rats during food-intake operant behavior

The central nervous structures involved in bar pressing and feeding behavior during food-intake operant behavior were investigated in rats by the [14C]-deoxyglucose ( [14C]-DG) autoradiographic technique. During bar pressing behavior, the [14C]-DG incorporation increased in the sensory-motor cortex, ventromedial thalamus, zona incerta, pars reticulata of substantia nigra, ligular cortex of the cerebellum and the reticular formation of the medulla. On the other hand, an increase of the [14C]-DG incorporation induced by feeding behavior was observed in the fornix, medial forebrain bundle, parietal cortex, trigeminal nuclei and the solitary nuclei.