The effect of spinal and skin temperatures on the firing rate and thermosensitivity of preoptic neurones

Abstract

1. In anaesthetized rabbits, preoptic single unit activity was recorded while preoptic, spinal cord and skin temperatures were independently manipulated. 2. The units that were insensitive to preoptic temperature were characterized by low firing rates and also by a very low incidence of extrahypothalamic thermosensitivity. 3. Thirty‐seven units having positive coefficients to preoptic temperature were tested for their response to spinal or skin temperature. Of these, twenty‐two units responded to extrahypothalamic temperature, seventeen with positive thermal coefficients. In addition, the incidence of extrahypothalamic thermosensitivity generally increased among the higher firing units. 4. Twenty‐two units had negative coefficients for preoptic temperature and were tested for their extrahypothalamic thermosensitivities. Of these, sixteen units had dual thermosensitivities, ten with negative coefficients for the extrahypothalamic temperatures. In addition, there was no correlation between the incidence of extrahypothalamic thermosensitivity and the level of firing rate. 5. In the units having positive coefficients for preoptic temperature, an increased firing rate, due to extrahypothalamic temperature, generally resulted in a decreased preoptic thermosensitivity. Conversely, a decreased firing rate usually resulted in an increased preoptic thermosensitivity. 6. In the units having negative coefficients for preoptic temperature, an increased firing rate, due to extrahypothalamic temperature, usually increased the preoptic thermosensitivity; while a decreased firing rate tended to decrease the sensitivity to preoptic temperature.