Hunger and thirst have distinct goals but control similar ingestive behaviors, and little is known about neural processes that are shared between these behavioral states. We identify glutamatergic neurons in the peri-locus coeruleus (periLC^VGLUT2 neurons) as a polysynaptic convergence node from separate energy-sensitive and hydration-sensitive cell populations. We develop methods for stable hindbrain calcium imaging in free-moving mice, which show that periLC^VGLUT2 neurons are tuned to ingestive behaviors and respond similarly to food or water consumption. PeriLC^VGLUT2 neurons are scalably inhibited by palatability and homeostatic need during consumption. Inhibition of periLC^VGLUT2 neurons is rewarding and increases consumption by enhancing palatability and prolonging ingestion duration. These properties comprise a double-negative feedback relationship that sustains food or water consumption without affecting food- or water-seeking. PeriLC^VGLUT2 neurons are a hub between hunger and thirst that specifically controls motivation for food and water ingestion, which is a factor that contributes to hedonic overeating and obesity.

饥饿和口渴有不同的目标，但控制着相似的摄食行为，而关于这些行为状态之间共享的神经过程知之甚少。我们从周围的能量敏感和水合作用敏感的细胞群体中识别出座位周围的谷氨酸（periLC ^VGLUT2神经元）中的谷氨酸能神经元。我们开发了在自由活动的小鼠中稳定的后脑钙成像的方法，该方法表明，periLC ^VGLUT2神经元已调整至食入行为，并对食物或水的消耗做出类似反应。食用期间，可口性和体内稳态需求可^大规模抑制PeriLC ^VGLUT2神经元。抑制periLC ^VGLUT2神经元通过增强适口性和延长摄取时间来奖励和增加消耗。这些特性包括双负反馈关系，该关系维持食物或水的消耗而不影响食物或水的寻求。PeriLC ^VGLUT2神经元是饥饿和口渴之间的枢纽，专门控制食物和水的摄入动机，这是导致享乐主义暴饮暴食和肥胖的一个因素。