Responses of thalamic and hypothalamic neurons to scrotal warming in rats: Non-specific responses?

摘要: Abstract Activities of thalamic and hypothalamic neurons in response to scrotal temperature change were investigated urethanized (1.2–1.5 g/kg) rats with special attention changes cortical electroencephalogram (EEG). Somatosensory relay identified electrophysiologically the ventrobasal complex (VB) thalamus. These had tactile receptive fields areas outside scrotum. Forty out 44 these responded warming by increase firing rate. The responses occurred abruptly at threshold temperatures ranging from 31 40 °C (switching response) simultaneous EEG high low voltages (desynchronization). In both thalamus hypothalamus, excited or inhibited also inhibited, respectively, noxious stimulation that produced desynchronization. Neurons showing no not affected stimulation. deeply anesthetized (2.5 g/kg urethane) rats, VB their fields, but either activities neurons. facts suggest may be ‘non-specific’. Most switching did appear mediate specific information concerning skin temperature.