Ontogenesis of glucose sensitivity in the rat lateral hypothalamus: a brain slice study.

The development of glucose-sensitive neurons in the lateral hypothalamus (LHA) brain slices was examined. In 60-100-day-old rats, 20% of LHA neurons were sensitive, that is, their firing rates decreased upon increase in the glucose concentration in the perfusate and increased upon decrease in glucose concentration. In 2-, 3- and 7-day-old rats, 16% of the neurons were glucose sensitive. Results confirm glucose-sensitivity in the LHA at a very early stage of ontogeny.