Cellular mechanisms of neuronal thermosensitivity

Abstract

1. There are differences between warm sensitive and temperature insensitive neurons in the rostral hypothalamus. 2. In warm sensitive neurons, temperature affects the rate of depolarization in prepotentials that precede action potentials. Warming increases the depolarization rate, which shortens the interspike interval and increases firing rate. 3. Inactivation of the potassium A current is temperature sensitive and contributes to the depolarizing prepotential. 4. In addition to intrinsic mechanisms, neuronal warm-sensitivity is affected by inhibitory synaptic input. Since cooling increases neuronal resistance, temperature affects the amplitude of postsynaptic inhibitory potentials, and this enhances neuronal thermosensitivity.