A direct hypothalamic afferent to the area postrema was found in the rat. After an injection of tritiated amino acids into the hypothalamus, labeled fibers and terminals were observed in the entire part of the area postrema, with dense patches of silver grains present in places. Cells of origin of this novel projection were identified with the retrograde horseradish peroxidase (HRP) method in the dorsal hypothalamic area at the most rostral level of the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus.