Functional significance of osmosensitive units in the anterior hypothalamus

Abstract

Units, presumably single cells, were recorded from the anterior hypothalamus of the cat through a transoral approach. The frequency of unit discharge was increased, in most instances, by the intracarotid injection of hypertonic solutions. The effectiveness of the solutions on increasing unit discharge depended on concentration, type, and temperature of the solution. Stimuli that increase the unit discharge frequency also are known to release antidiuretic hormone. The likelihood that theseunits are the osmoreceptors of Verney is discussed.