Wieder ein Meilenstein:
http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/nn2027.html[*QUOTE*]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
article abstract
Nature Neuroscience
Published online: 16 December 2007 | doi:10.1038/nn2027
A thermosensory pathway that controls body temperature
Kazuhiro Nakamura 1 & Shaun F Morrison 1
Abstract
Defending body temperature against environmental thermal challenges is one
of the most fundamental homeostatic functions that are governed by the
nervous system. Here we describe a somatosensory pathway that essentially
constitutes the afferent arm of the thermoregulatory reflex that is
triggered by cutaneous sensation of environmental temperature changes.
Using in vivo electrophysiological and anatomical approaches in the rat,
we found that lateral parabrachial neurons are pivotal in this pathway by
glutamatergically transmitting cutaneous thermosensory signals received
from spinal somatosensory neurons directly to the thermoregulatory command
center, the preoptic area. This feedforward pathway mediates not only
sympathetic and shivering thermogenic responses but also metabolic and
cardiac responses to skin cooling challenges. Notably, this
'thermoregulatory afferent' pathway exists in parallel with the
spinothalamocortical somatosensory pathway that mediates temperature
perception. These findings make an important contribution to our
understanding of both the somatosensory system and thermal homeostasis -
two mechanisms that are fundamental to the nervous system and to our
survival.
Neurological Sciences Institute
Oregon Health & Science University
505 N.W. 185th Avenue
Beaverton
Oregon 97006
USA
Correspondence to:
Kazuhiro Nakamura 1
e-mail:nakamura [bat] ohsu.edu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
[*/QUOTE*]
.
