Lateral preoptic neurons inhibit thirst in the rat.

Kainic acid (KA) and muscimol were injected into the lateral preoptic area (LPO) of the rat to study their effects on drinking behavior. A low dose (5 ng) of KA, which stimulates neurons, decreased the amount of water intake induced by hypertonic saline (IP) and angiotensin II (SC). Injection of 2 ng muscimol, a potent GABAA receptor agonist that suppresses neurons, facilitated drinking responses induced by hypertonic saline, but did not affect angiotensin II-induced drinking. Rats injected with a high dose (150 ng) of KA, which destroys neurons, showed marked polydipsia accompanied by increased urination. One week after the KA lesion, drinking and urine output recovered to normal. During the polydipsia, a small volume of concentrated urine could be excreted if water intake was restricted. After recovery, excessive drinking responses followed water deprivation and hypertonic saline load. The rats normally drank water in response to angiotensin II and to polyethylene glycol solution. The results show that activation of LPO neurons inhibits water intake, and that suppression of LPO neurons facilitates osmotically induced water intake. Therefore, LPO neurons are probably involved in the inhibition of thirst.