Opiate rewarding action: independence of the cells of the lateral hypothalamus.

The posterior lateral hypothalamic area has been suggested as a possible site of action for the reinforcing effects of opiates on the basis of the finding that rats would lever-press for direct microinjections of opiates into this region. The present study reports the effects of kainic acid-induced lateral hypothalamic cell loss on the intravenous self-administration of heroin. Kainic acid injection resulted in marked cellular depletion yet failed to alter heroin self-administration.