Prefrontal cortex and dorsomedial hypothalamus mediate food reward-induced effects via npas2 and egr1 expression in rat.

The effects of food reward on circadian system function were investigated in the hypothalamic nuclei, prefrontal cortex and liver. Food rewards of small hedonic and caloric value were provided for 16 days 3 h after light phase onset to male Wistar rats. The daily pattern of locomotor activity was monitored.