[The mechanisms of the temperature sensitivity of the hypothalamic neurons]

Studies of the 1960-80-s in intact animals and brain slices showed the existence of brain temperature-sensitive neurons in the vertebrate hypothalamus. Increased firing rate of these units activates the thermoregulatory processes. Applications of synaptic blockade in slices, and of intracellular recordings and clamp technique in the last 3-4 years allowed to find that many hypothalamic thermosensitive neurons possess an intrinsic mechanism of temperature sensitivity central to. This mechanism is a change in ionic permeability of neuronal membrane. The review summarizes the results of these studies and considers possible causes of thermo-induced changes in ionic conductivity of hypothalamic thermosensitive neuron membrane.