[Central Neural Network That Mediates Thermoregulatory Responses to Environmental Stresses]

In addition to maintaining a constant core body temperature, the mammalian thermoregulatory system, including that in humans deviates body temperature from the normally defended range as necessary to protect the organism from various environmental stressors, such as ambient temperature (heat and cold), pathogens, natural enemies, and starvation. Recent studies have reported that neural circuits of the brain are involved in thermoregulatory responses to environmental stresses. This article summarizes the most recent findings on the central neural network associated with thermoregulatory physiological responses to environmental stresses.