Distinct Neural Representations of Hunger and Thirst in Neonatal Mice before the Emergence of Food- and Water-seeking Behaviors.

Hunger and thirst are two fundamental drives for maintaining homeostasis, and elicit distinct food- and water-seeking behaviors essential for survival. For neonatal mammals, however, both hunger and thirst are sated by consuming milk from their mother. While distinct neural circuits underlying hunger and thirst drives in the adult brain have been characterized, it is unclear when these distinctions emerge in neonates and what processes may affect their development.