Figure 3.

Hypothalamic thermoregulatory network that controls body temperature in mammals. The hypothalamic neurons of the preoptic area (POA) and the posterior hypothalamic area function as a body thermostat to maintain a stable body temperature. The ascending temperature information ends in two anatomically distinct areas of the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPB): the lateral and dorsal external LPB (LPBel and LPBd, respectively). Heat and cold have been shown to activate cFOS expression in LPBd and LPBel, respectively. Altogether, this sophisticated thermoregulatory network highlights the importance of maintaining body temperature during an environmental temperature challenge. DRG, dorsal root ganglia; MPO, medial preoptic subnucleus; MnPO, median preoptic subnucleus.