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Radio-frequency-current and direct-current lesions in the ventromedial hypothalamus

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Stephen Herrero · 1969

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Radio-frequency and direct-current lesions of the rat ventromedial hypothalamus both led to obesity, though only the radio-frequency lesions raised water intake and caused adrenal atrophy.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers used radiofrequency current to create precise brain lesions in female rats' ventromedial hypothalamus, finding that RF and direct current lesions both led to obesity and associated disturbances, although only RF lesions caused marked increases in water intake and adrenal atrophy. Of 19 rats with RF-induced lesions destroying 50% or more of the ventromedial area, 15 developed obesity; both lesion types also reduced running-wheel activity and altered estrous cycles. The author interprets the data as showing that destruction of the ventromedial hypothalamus leads to obesity and associated disturbances regardless of whether the lesions are irritative (direct current) or non-irritative (radio-frequency current).

Why This Matters

This early research used radio-frequency current as a lesioning tool, not as an environmental exposure. Radio-frequency and direct-current lesions in the ventromedial hypothalamus of female rats both led to obesity (15 of 19 rf-c-lesioned and 10 of 10 d-c-lesioned animals when 50% or more of the area was destroyed), caused marked permanent decreases in running-wheel activity, and permanently altered estrous cycles. Only the radio-frequency lesions caused marked increases in water intake and marked adrenal atrophy. The data are interpreted as showing that destruction of the ventromedial hypothalamus leads to obesity and associated disturbances independently of whether irritative or non-irritative lesions are made. Because the lesions were made surgically, the study does not address exposure to RF fields from wireless devices.

Cite This Study
Stephen Herrero (1969). Radio-frequency-current and direct-current lesions in the ventromedial hypothalamus.
Show BibTeX
@article{radio_frequency_current_and_direct_current_lesions_in_the_ventromedial_hypothala_g3641,
  author = {Stephen Herrero},
  title = {Radio-frequency-current and direct-current lesions in the ventromedial hypothalamus},
  year = {1969},
  doi = {10.1152/AJPLEGACY.1969.217.2.403},
  
}
DOI: 10.1152/AJPLEGACY.1969.217.2.403

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, as a deliberate lesioning technique: radiofrequency current was used to create lesions in the ventromedial hypothalamus of female rats. Destruction of 50% or more of the area was followed by obesity in 15 of 19 rf-c-lesioned animals, and both lesion types caused marked permanent decreases in running-wheel activity.
Of the 19 rats with RF-induced lesions destroying 50% or more of the ventromedial area, 15 developed obesity. The RF-lesioned animals also showed marked permanent decreases in running-wheel activity, permanently altered vaginal estrous cycles, a marked increase in water intake, and marked adrenal atrophy.
Mostly similar, with two differences. Both kinds of lesions were followed by obesity (15 of 19 radio-frequency and 10 of 10 direct-current lesioned animals), caused marked permanent decreases in running-wheel activity, and permanently altered estrous cycles. Only the radio-frequency lesions caused a marked increase in water intake and marked adrenal atrophy.
When 50% or more of the ventromedial hypothalamic area was destroyed, obesity developed in 15 of 19 radio-frequency lesioned animals and in 10 of 10 direct-current lesioned animals.
The data are interpreted as showing that destruction of the ventromedial hypothalamus leads to obesity and associated disturbances independently of whether irritative (direct-current) or non-irritative (radio-frequency) lesions are made. Radio-frequency current was used here to make lesions in rat brains.