Role of hunger in T-maze learning for food by rats.

Abstract

Satiated rats receiving continuous electrical stimulation in hypothalamic "feeding areas" learned to choose the T-maze arm containing food. 2 experimentswere then performed to determine in which portions of the maze stimulation-induced hunger is necessary and sufficient for maintaining food-seeking behavior. Ss [subjects] chose randomly if stimulation was terminated as they entered the goal box. However, if stimulation was not turned on until they entered the goal box, they consistently made food-directed choices. These results are interpreted as showing that, in order for food-seeking behavior to occur in a T maze, hunger is necessary and sufficient only in the goal boxes, and food-seeking behavior can be independent of hunger at the choice point.