title: In vitro thermosensitivity of the midline thalamus.
abstract: This study compared the thermosensitivity and spontaneous activity of thalamic midline neurons with those of neurons in areas widely regarded to be involved in thermoregulation (preoptic/anterior hypothalamus and posterior hypothalamus). In vitro single unit recordings were made from neurons within the thalamic midline nuclei, the preoptic/anterior hypothalamus and posterior hypothalamus prior to and during a temperature change 3-7 degrees C above and below 37 degrees C. There were no significant differences in the degree of thermosensitivity or the proportion of thermosensitive neurons in the three areas. In each area examined, the thermosensitive neurons had a spontaneous activity which was significantly greater than that of the temperature-insensitive neurons. The results suggest that structures of the midline thalamus may play a role similar to that of the preoptic/anterior hypothalamus and posterior hypothalamus in the processing of temperature related information.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242-1407, USA.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Travis
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Bockholt
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Zardetto-Smith
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D011301:Preoptic Area / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013788:Thalamus / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*