Central thermal adaptation of lower brain stem units in the guinea-pig.
Cold adaptive changes were found in single units responding to thermal skin stimulation. All units were located in the subcoeruleus region of the lower brain stem. In cold-adapted guinea-pigs (five weeks in ambient temperature of 4 degrees C), the maximum activity of cold-responsive neurones was reduced markedly in comparison with that of cold-responsive neurones in animals adapted to room temperature (ca. 21 degrees C). This decrease may be a neuronal correlate to long-term downward shifts of shivering threshold temperature known to occur within adaptation periods of several weeks in man, as well as in animals.
D000064:Acclimatization; D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008125:Locus Coeruleus; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*