Effects of electrical stimulation of VSA on the firing of thermosensitive neurons in the POAH of rabbits / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM and METHODS: To investigate the effect of electrical stimulation of VSA on the firing of thermosensitive neurons in preoptic anterior hypothalamus (POAH), the firing rate of thermosensitive neurons in POAH of 20 New Zealand white rabbits was recorded by using extracellular microelectrode techinque. RESULTS: (1)Electrical stimulation of ventral septal area (VSA) caused a significant increase in firing rate of warm-sensitive neurons in the preoptic area of the anterior hypothalamus(POAH).(2) The firing rate of cold-sensitive neurons was decreased remarkably in the POAH by electrical stimulation of VSA. CONCLUSION: VSA may play a controlling role in the thermoregulation through altering the firing rate of thermosensitive neurons in the POAH .