Summary
The effect of heating and cooling in the midbrain on the unit activities of midbrain raphe neurons in the rat was observed. Out of 24 raphe units studied, 14 units responded to a rise in midbrain temperature with an increased rate of firing. The remaining 10 units did not respond to temperature changes between 34 and 41°C. The result is consistent with the idea that the heat-induced increase in brain serotonin turnover is mediated by an increased firing rate of midbrain raphe neurons.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aghajanian, G.K., Foote, W.E., Sheard, M.H.: Lysergic acid diethylamide: sensitive neuronal units in the midbrain raphe. Science.161: 706–708 (1968)
Aghajanian, G.K., Weiss, B. L.: Block by LSD of the increase in brain serotonin turnover induced by elevated ambient temperature. Nature.220: 795–796 (1968)
Andén, N.E., Dahlström, A., Fuxe, K., Larsson, K., Olson, L., Ungerstedt, U.: Ascending monoamine neurons to the telencephalon and diencephalon. Acta physiol. scand.67: 313–326 (1966)
Bligh, J.: Temperature regulation in mammals and other vertebrates. Amsterdam, North-Holland Publ. Comp. (1973)
Boulant, J.A., Hardy, J.D.: The effect of spinal and skin temperatures on the firing rate and thermosensitivity of preoptic neurones. J. Physiol. (Lond.)240: 639–660 (1974)
Corrodi, H., Fuxe, K., Hökfelt, T.: A possible role played by central monoamine neurones in thermo-regulation. Acta physiol. scand.71: 224–232 (1967)
Cunnigham, D.J., Stolwijk, J.A.J., Murakami, N., Hardy, J.D.: Responses of neurons in the preoptic area to temperature, serotonin, and epinephrine. Am. J. Physiol.213: 1570–1581 (1967).
Eisenman, J.S.: Unit studies of brainstem projections to the preoptic area and hypothalamus. In: Recent studies in hypothalamic function, ed. by Lederis, K. & Cooper, K.E., Basel, Karger (1974)
Hellon, R.F.: The marking of electrode tip positions in nervous tissue. J. Physiol. (Lond.)214: 12P (1971)
Hori, T., Harada, Y.: Midbrain neuronal responses to local and hypothalamic temperatures in the rat. (In Japanese) Jap. J. Biometeorol.12: 12 (1975)
Hori, T., Nakayama, T.: Effects of biogenic amines on central thermo-responsive neurones in the rabbit. J. Physiol. (Lond.)232: 71–85 (1973)
Jahns, R.: Different projections of cutaneous thermal inputs to single units of the midbrain raphe nuclei. Brain Research.101: 355–361 (1976)
König, J.F.R., Klippel, R.A.: The Rat brain. Baltimore, Williams & Willkins (1963)
Sheard, M.H., Aghajanian, G.K.: Stimulation of the midbrain raphe: effect on serotonin metabolism. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther.163: 425–430 (1968)
Weiss, B.L., Aghajanian, G.K.: Activation of brain serotonin metabolism by heat: role of midbrain raphe neurones. Brain Research.26: 37–48 (1971)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hori, T., Harada, Y. Responses of midbrain raphe neurons to local temperature. Pflugers Arch. 364, 205–207 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00585193
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00585193