Biomaterial Database

Specific responses of rat raphé neurones to skin temperature. 1977

A H Dickenson

1. The responses of single neurones in the nuclei raphés magnus, medianus, dorsalis and pontis to changes in skin temperature were recorded in rats anaesthetized with urethane. Skin temperature was altered by means of a water-perfused jacket. 2. Of 210 neurones studied, thirty-five were specifically excited by warming the skin whilst twenty were cold responsive. The greatest proportion of cells responding to skin temperature were in the nucleus raphé magnus, whilst few neurones in the raphé dorsalis and pontis were influenced. 3. The warm units had peak activity at a mean skin temperature of 37.7 degrees C whilst the cold cells had a corresponding maximal rate at 29.0 degreet C. Mechanical and noxious peripheral stimulation, blood pressure changes and temperatures other than that of skin did not affect the neurones. 4. The neurones influenced by skin temperature were histologically verified as being within the raphé system. 5. LSD inhibited all neurones tested, indicating that the cells were serotonergic. 6. The responses to skin temperature were unchanged in rats with midcollicular sections suggesting an ascending thermal system. 7. The results suggest that any involvement of 5-HT in central thermo-regulation is in terms of an afferent thermal pathway mediated by serotonergic raphé neurones.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008238	Lysergic Acid Diethylamide	Semisynthetic derivative of ergot (Claviceps purpurea). It has complex effects on serotonergic systems including antagonism at some peripheral serotonin receptors, both agonist and antagonist actions at central nervous system serotonin receptors, and possibly effects on serotonin turnover. It is a potent hallucinogen, but the mechanisms of that effect are not well understood.	LSD,Lysergide,LSD-25,Lysergic Acid Diethylamide Tartrate,Acid Diethylamide, Lysergic,Diethylamide, Lysergic Acid,LSD 25
D008297	Male		Males
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D010812	Physical Stimulation	Act of eliciting a response from a person or organism through physical contact.	Stimulation, Physical,Physical Stimulations,Stimulations, Physical
D011903	Raphe Nuclei	Collections of small neurons centrally scattered among many fibers from the level of the TROCHLEAR NUCLEUS in the midbrain to the hypoglossal area in the MEDULLA OBLONGATA.	Caudal Linear Nucleus of the Raphe,Interfascicular Nucleus,Nucleus Incertus,Rostral Linear Nucleus of Raphe,Rostral Linear Nucleus of the Raphe,Superior Central Nucleus,Central Nucleus, Superior,Incertus, Nucleus,Nuclei, Raphe,Nucleus, Interfascicular,Nucleus, Raphe,Nucleus, Superior Central,Raphe Nucleus
D001933	Brain Stem	The part of the brain that connects the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES with the SPINAL CORD. It consists of the MESENCEPHALON; PONS; and MEDULLA OBLONGATA.	Brainstem,Truncus Cerebri,Brain Stems,Brainstems,Cerebri, Truncus,Cerebrus, Truncus,Truncus Cerebrus
D003655	Decerebrate State	A condition characterized by abnormal posturing of the limbs that is associated with injury to the brainstem. This may occur as a clinical manifestation or induced experimentally in animals. The extensor reflexes are exaggerated leading to rigid extension of the limbs accompanied by hyperreflexia and opisthotonus. This condition is usually caused by lesions which occur in the region of the brainstem that lies between the red nuclei and the vestibular nuclei. In contrast, decorticate rigidity is characterized by flexion of the elbows and wrists with extension of the legs and feet. The causative lesion for this condition is located above the red nuclei and usually consists of diffuse cerebral damage. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p358)	Decerebrate Posturing,Decorticate Rigidity,Decorticate State,Rigidity, Decerebrate,Rigidity, Decorticate,Decerebrate Posturings,Decerebrate Rigidity,Decerebrate States,Decorticate Rigidities,Decorticate States,Posturing, Decerebrate,Posturings, Decerebrate,Rigidities, Decorticate,State, Decerebrate,States, Decerebrate
D000200	Action Potentials	Abrupt changes in the membrane potential that sweep along the CELL MEMBRANE of excitable cells in response to excitation stimuli.	Spike Potentials,Nerve Impulses,Action Potential,Impulse, Nerve,Impulses, Nerve,Nerve Impulse,Potential, Action,Potential, Spike,Potentials, Action,Potentials, Spike,Spike Potential
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012881	Skin Temperature	The TEMPERATURE at the outer surface of the body.	Skin Temperatures,Temperature, Skin,Temperatures, Skin