Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Thermosensation

Thermosensation

Peripheral thermosensation is the perception of external temperature. A change in temperature (on the surface of the skin and other tissues) is detected by a family of temperature-sensitive ion channels called Transient Receptor Potential, or TRP, receptors. These receptors are located on free nerve endings. Those detecting cold temperatures are closer to the surface of the skin than the nerve endings detecting warmth. These thermoTRP channels, while temperature selective, have relatively...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Integrated single-cell and spatial transcriptomic profiling in ALS uncovers peripheral-to-central immune infiltration and reprogramming.

Nature neuroscience·2026

Same author

The Cellular and Circuit Basis of Temperature Sensation in <i>Drosophila</i>.

Annual review of neuroscience·2026

Same author

Coordinated molecular and physiological adaptations enable activity at sub-freezing temperatures in the snow fly Chionea alexandriana.

Current biology : CB·2026

Same author

Brain Transcriptomics Across Diverse Sleep-Wake Manipulations Reveals Multiple Homeostatic Pathways in <i>Drosophila</i>.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Ubiquitin ligase Nedd4 regulates the abundance and toxicity of mutant huntingtin.

JCI insight·2026

Same author

A reference brain for the clonal raider ant.

Current biology : CB·2025

Same journal

Increased rates of hybridization in swordtails are associated with water pollution.

Current biology : CB·2026

Same journal

Visual uncertainty and task demands shape active sensing strategies in mice.

Current biology : CB·2026

Same journal

An adaptable, self-organizing, single-cell morphology circuit optimizes suctorian predatory trap structure.

Current biology : CB·2026

Same journal

Temporal tuning of switch-like virulence expression resolves environmental uncertainty through phenotypic heterogeneity.

Current biology : CB·2026

Same journal

An abstract relational map emerges in the human medial prefrontal cortex with consolidation.

Current biology : CB·2026

Same journal

Phloem evolved gradually and asynchronously to xylem in early vascular plants.

Current biology : CB·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 20, 2025

Novel Assay for Cold Nociception in Drosophila Larvae

Novel Assay for Cold Nociception in Drosophila Larvae

Published on: April 3, 2017

A Circuit Encoding Absolute Cold Temperature in Drosophila.

Michael H Alpert¹, Dominic D Frank¹, Evan Kaspi¹

¹Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.

Current Biology : CB

|May 23, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Fruit flies possess a specialized neural circuit that detects and signals absolute cold temperatures. This "thermometer" circuit influences sleep and activity, helping flies adapt to prolonged cold conditions.

Keywords:

Drosophila antenna brain circuit cold seasonal sleep temperature thermosensory

More Related Videos

An Automated Method to Determine the Performance of Drosophila in Response to Temperature Changes in Space and Time

An Automated Method to Determine the Performance of Drosophila in Response to Temperature Changes in Space and Time

Published on: October 12, 2018

High-Throughput Assays of Critical Thermal Limits in Insects

High-Throughput Assays of Critical Thermal Limits in Insects

Published on: June 15, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 20, 2025

Novel Assay for Cold Nociception in Drosophila Larvae

Novel Assay for Cold Nociception in Drosophila Larvae

Published on: April 3, 2017

An Automated Method to Determine the Performance of Drosophila in Response to Temperature Changes in Space and Time

An Automated Method to Determine the Performance of Drosophila in Response to Temperature Changes in Space and Time

Published on: October 12, 2018

High-Throughput Assays of Critical Thermal Limits in Insects

High-Throughput Assays of Critical Thermal Limits in Insects

Published on: June 15, 2020

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Animal Behavior
Sensory Biology

Background:

Animals respond to environmental changes across various timescales.
Understanding how neural signals process sensory information over diverse temporal scales is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the neural circuit responsible for processing long-lasting, absolute cold temperature in Drosophila.
To identify specific neurons and circuits involved in cold detection and behavioral adaptation.

Main Methods:

Identification of second-order thermosensory projection neurons (TPN-IIs) with sustained firing patterns.
Tracing neural circuit inputs and outputs of TPN-IIs.
Analysis of the cold "thermometer" circuit's inhibitory effects on sleep and activity regulation centers.

Main Results:

TPN-IIs exhibit sustained firing that scales with absolute temperature, specifically below ~25°C.
A specialized cold "thermometer" circuit was identified, providing persistent inhibition to brain centers.
This circuit enables selective encoding and relay of absolute cold temperature information.

Conclusions:

The Drosophila nervous system selectively encodes absolute cold temperature via a dedicated circuit.
This sensory mechanism allows for behavioral adaptation to cold conditions over hours to days.
The findings reveal a specific neural pathway for processing prolonged cold stimuli and its impact on behavior.