Differential influence of medial and lateral preoptic areas on body temperature in conscious and unconscious Rats

Abstract

Since temperature sensitive neurons are unevenly distributed in the medial and the lateral preoptic areas, it was hypothesized that the two areas possibly would influence body temperature to a different extent. As alteration in sleep-wakefulness and body movement may affect the body temperature, experiments were conducted by reversible inactivation of those two areas, in freely moving (conscious) rats as well as in rats where changes in EEG and movement were restricted (unconscious). Results showed that the medial preoptic area is more effective in body temperature regulation. The study also revealed that the preoptic area mediated effect on body temperature regulation is not necessarily linked to simultaneous changes in sleep-wakefulness and alteration in the latter probably helps in maintaining the former within limit.