Data from: A bidirectional network for appetite control in larval zebrafish

Medial and lateral hypothalamic loci are known to suppress and enhance
appetite, respectively, but the dynamics and functional significance of
their interaction have yet to be explored. Here we report that, in larval
zebrafish, primarily serotonergic neurons of the ventromedial caudal
hypothalamus (cH) become increasingly active during food deprivation,
whereas activity in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) is reduced. Exposure to
food sensory and consummatory cues reverses the activity patterns of these
two nuclei, consistent with their representation of opposing internal
hunger states. Baseline activity is restored as food-deprived animals
return to satiety via voracious feeding. The antagonistic relationship and
functional importance of cH and LH activity patterns were confirmed by
targeted stimulation and ablation of cH neurons. Collectively, the data
allow us to propose a model in which these hypothalamic nuclei regulate
different phases of hunger and satiety and coordinate energy balance via
antagonistic control of distinct behavioral outputs.