[The effect of direct stimulation of the dog lateral hypothalamus on transformation of a passive-defensive situational reflex into an alimentary one].

The behavioral effect of electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus with a current of equal parameters in chronic experiments on dogs depended on the signal significance of the surroundings. Stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus against the background of a defensive situational reflex in dogs which were in an experimental situation for the first time, far from evoking orientation to food and the act of feeding, enhanced the background fear reaction. After transformation of the defensive signal significance of the situation into an alimentary one, stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus began to activate the alimentary instrumental reflex and the act of feeding. However, at first the former was manifested irregularly. Combinations of stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus and achievement of the alimentary instrumental reflex with subsequent reinforcement stabilized and enhanced the alimentary instrumental reflex to the stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus.