Stress-induced hyperthermia and hypothermia.

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Neuroscience
• Stress Research

Background:

• Stress profoundly influences core body temperature (Tc).
• Various stressors can induce transient hyperthermia, with intensity and duration affecting the response.
• Chronic stress can lead to persistent alterations in Tc, including anticipatory hyperthermia and reduced diurnal variations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the multifaceted effects of stress on core body temperature regulation.
• To investigate the mechanisms underlying stress-induced thermoregulation.
• To identify factors modulating stress-induced thermal responses.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on stress and thermoregulation.
• Analysis of studies examining acute and chronic stress models in animals and humans.
• Examination of physiological and neural pathways involved in stress-induced temperature changes.

Main Results:

• Acute stress commonly causes transient hyperthermia, while chronic stress can lead to sustained alterations in Tc.
• Individual variability in Tc response is significant, influenced by factors like sex, age, and prior experiences.
• Stress-induced hyperthermia involves distinct mechanisms from infectious fever, though both activate a shared neural axis.

Conclusions:

• Stress-induced changes in core body temperature are complex and highly individualized.
• The dorsomedial hypothalamus-rostral medullary raphe region-sympathetic nerve axis plays a crucial role in mediating stress-induced thermoregulation.
• Understanding these mechanisms is vital for managing stress-related physiological responses.