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Cited by 786Thermoregulation and physiological responsesIon Channels and ReceptorsThermal Regulation in Medicine

Thermoregulation: some concepts have changed. Functional architecture of the thermoregulatory system

Romanovsky, Andrej A.·2007·American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology
DOI 10.1152/ajpregu.00668.2006
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Abstract

While summarizing the current understanding of how body temperature (T b ) is regulated, this review discusses the recent progress in the following areas: central and peripheral thermosensitivity and temperature-activated transient receptor potential (TRP) channels; afferent neuronal pathways from peripheral thermosensors; and efferent thermoeffector pathways. It is proposed that activation of temperature-sensitive TRP channels is a mechanism of peripheral thermosensitivity. Special attention is paid to the functional architecture of the thermoregulatory system. The notion that deep T b is regulated by a unified system with a single controller is rejected. It is proposed that T b is regulated by independent thermoeffector loops, each having its own afferent and efferent branches. The activity of each thermoeffector is triggered by a unique combination of shell and core T b s. Temperature-dependent phase transitions in thermosensory neurons cause sequential activation of all neurons of the corresponding thermoeffector loop and eventually a thermoeffector response. No computation of an integrated T b or its comparison with an obvious or hidden set point of a unified system is necessary. Coordination between thermoeffectors is achieved through their common controlled variable, T b . The described model incorporates Kobayashi’s views, but Kobayashi’s proposal to eliminate the term sensor is rejected. A case against the term set point is also made. Because this term is historically associated with a unified control system, it is more misleading than informative. The term balance point is proposed to designate the regulated level of T b and to attract attention to the multiple feedback, feedforward, and open-loop components that contribute to thermal balance.

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  • The thermoregulatory system is diffuse, with thermoreceptors found in areas including the brain stem and spinal cord.

    “For example, thermoreceptors have been found in other areas, including the brain stem, and indeed in other central nervous system structures such as the spinal cord [30], underscoring the fact that the thermoregulatory system is diffuse [31].”

    From Human thermal perception and time of day: A review (2021) · cites this paper as [31]

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Authors
Romanovsky, A. A.
Affiliations
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center (US)
Corresponding author
Romanovsky, Andrej A.
ORCID
Romanovsky, Andrej A.
Venue
American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Published
2007-01
Volume
292
Issue
1
Pages
R37-R46
ISSN
  • 0363-6119 (ISSN-L)
  • 1522-1490
DOI
10.1152/ajpregu.00668.2006
OpenAlex
W2105155111
Semantic Scholar
951d6465df2e12dece490320600c7edb60b61d1b
Cited by
786
References
140
Citations by year
2026: 25 · 2025: 36 · 2024: 38 · 2023: 62 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 45 · 2020: 27 · 2019: 37 · 2018: 45 · 2017: 43 · 2016: 48 · 2015: 53 · 2014: 52 · 2013: 44 · 2012: 42
FWCI
2.87
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01NS041233, NS41233)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Thermoregulation and physiological responses
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Ion Channels and Receptors
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine › Thermal Regulation in Medicine
Keywords
thermoregulation, thermosensitive TRP channels, set point, balance point, thermosensory neurons, open-loop control
MeSH terms
Afferent Pathways, Animals, Autonomic Nervous System, Body Temperature Regulation, Humans, Neurons, Afferent, Peripheral Nervous System, Transient Receptor Potential Channels

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