title: Deficits in NaCl ingestion after damage to the central nucleus of the amygdala in the rat.
abstract: These studies examined the NaCl intake behaviors of rats with bilateral electrolytic lesions of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeAX). Daily need-free intake of 3% NaCl was abolished by CeAX even in rats in which it had been enhanced preoperatively by a history of repeated sodium depletions but was slightly restored by three successive postoperative sodium depletions. CeAX rats drank water but not 3% NaCl to high doses of DOCA and to the activation of cerebral angiotensin II, and expressed small but reliable salt intake (need-induced salt intake or salt appetite) after postoperative sodium depletions. Other ingestive behaviors (water drinking, intake of food and 5% sucrose) were normal. When given decreasing concentrations of NaCl solution the CeAX rats rejected them until the concentration reached 0.2%. These findings suggest that lesions to the central nucleus of the amygdala produce a global impairment in salt intake behaviors that is possibly due to an alteration in the central processing of the salt taste signal.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania, Department of Biology, Philadelphia 19104-6018.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Galaverna
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schulkin
authors.forename: S Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Epstein
mesh_terms: D000679:Amygdala / Q000502:physiology*; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000818:Animals; D003900:Desoxycorticosterone / Q000502:physiology; D006400:Hematocrit; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012964:Sodium / Q000172:deficiency*; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013395:Sucrose / Q000494:pharmacology; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D012982:Sodium, Dietary; D000804:Angiotensin II; D003900:Desoxycorticosterone; D013395:Sucrose; D012964:Sodium