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Spinal cord thermosensitivity: An afferent phenomenon?
James A Brock1, Robin M McAllen2
1Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne , Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Temperature (Austin, Tex.)
|November 19, 2016
Summary
The mammalian spinal cord contains temperature sensors crucial for thermoregulation. These sensors utilize distinct pathways to signal cold and warmth to the brain, influencing body temperature.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
Background:
- The spinal cord's role in thermoregulation is increasingly recognized.
- Understanding the specific mechanisms of spinal thermoreception is essential for comprehending whole-body temperature control.
Approach:
- This review synthesizes existing evidence on spinal cord thermoregulatory temperature sensors.
- It examines the neural pathways involved in transmitting thermosensory information from the spinal cord to the brain.
Key Points:
- Spinal cord temperature significantly contributes to physiological temperature regulation.
- Parallel ascending pathways in the anterolateral spinal cord transmit distinct cold and warm signals.
- These pathways overlap with dorsal horn neurons receiving peripheral thermal input.
Conclusions:
- The hypothesized 'cold' and 'warm' ascending pathways likely convey all extracranial thermosensory information.
- Presynaptic mechanisms at afferent terminals in the dorsal horn explain spinal cord thermoregulatory actions.
- Local spinal cooling enhances cold afferent neurotransmission, while spinal warmth sensitivity relies on miniature transmitter release.
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