Abstract
Evidence is presented for an acetylcholine (ACh) input to the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) as part of a system for self-stimulation and ingestive behavior. Male rats were prepared with an electrode in the perifornical lateral hypothalamus and an ipsilateral guideshaft for microdialysis in the VTA. Extracellular ACh increased in the VTA during self-stimulation, auto-stimulation, eating, or drinking. Infusion of atropine into the VTA via the microdialysis probe was sufficient to stop self-stimulation and reduce intake of food. It is concluded that ACh acts at muscarinic receptors in the VTA as part of a circuit that modulates hypothalamic self-stimulation and ingestive behavior.
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