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Selective brain cooling in humans: "fancy" or fact?
1Département de Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
Summary
Selective brain cooling (SBC) in humans is debated, but this review refutes arguments against it. Overwhelming evidence supports the existence of human SBC during hyperthermia.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Thermoregulation
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Selective brain cooling (SBC) is established in animals but debated in humans.
- Previous rejections of human SBC cite lack of panting, carotid rete, and misinterpretation of tympanic temperature (Tty).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and refute arguments against human SBC.
- To present evidence supporting the existence of human SBC.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and critical analysis of existing arguments.
- Summarization of recent experimental findings on human thermoregulation.
Main Results:
- Arguments against human SBC were systematically refuted.
- Recent experimental data provide strong support for human SBC.
Conclusions:
- The existence of selective brain cooling in humans during hyperthermia is supported by overwhelming evidence.
- Previous criticisms of human SBC and tympanic temperature measurements are invalidated.