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Diurnal and Seasonal Reactivity Patterns of Chemical Transmission in the Suprachiasmatic Nuclei and Other Brain Entities Related to Hibernation

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Thermotherapy for Neoplasia, Inflammation, and Pain

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Summary

Two characteristics cause mammalian hibernators to be excellent animal models for studying bio-rhythmicity: the presence of daily changes in peripheral autonomic functions during summer and their disappearance during hibernation in winter, despite continuing activity in the central rhythmic generator, the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). This review proceeds from our own studies to (i) elucidate central neurotransmitters involved in different modes of signal processing in the SCN during summer, winter, and hibernation, and (ii) delineate the associated patterns of signal transduction in the central ascending noradrenergic system, an important link between the SCN and the autonomic peripheral system. We suggest that the central vasopressin (AVP) and enkephalin (ENK) systems decrease the set point for body temperature and that the output of the SCN is diminished by the activity of AVP and serotonin (5-HT). Both actions, together with the local input from substance P (SP) neurons, assist in the suppression of optic influences. On the other hand, the noradrenergic brainstem components maintain their functional capability in each phase of the annual cycle. Initiating arousal, they reduce the inhibitory action of the serotonergic system on the SCN. The subsequent increase of the suprachiasmatic information output activates the brainstem noradrenergic system to stimulate cardiovascular performance and heat generation in the brown adipose tissue (BAT). At body temperature above 15°C, the SCN triggers shivering via the paraventriculoseptal axis, which in turn activates the hippocampus and extrapyramidal centers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Physiologische und Klinische Forschung, W. G. Kerckhoff-Institut, Parkstr. 1, D-61231, Bad Nauheim, Germany

    Klaus Pleschka

  2. Department of Physiology, Albert-Szent-Györgyi Medical University, Dom ter 10, Szeged, Hungary

    Ferenc Bari

  3. Dr. Senckenbergische Anatomie (Anatomie II), Klinikum der J. W Goethe-Universität, Theodor Stern-Kai 7, D-60590, Frankfurt, Germany

    Frank Nürnberger

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  1. Klaus Pleschka
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  2. Ferenc Bari
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Physiology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, 852-8523, Nagasaki, Japan

    Mitsuo Kosaka

  2. Health Research Foundation, 606-8225, Kyoto, Japan

    Tsutomu Sugahara

  3. Clinic of Rheumatology, Physical Medicine, and Balneology, University of Giessen, Bad Nauheim, Germany

    Klaus L. Schmidt

  4. Max Planck Institute for Physiological and Clinical Research, W.G. Kerckhoff Institute, Bad Nauheim, Germany

    Eckhart Simon

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Pleschka, K., Bari, F., Nürnberger, F. (2001). Diurnal and Seasonal Reactivity Patterns of Chemical Transmission in the Suprachiasmatic Nuclei and Other Brain Entities Related to Hibernation. In: Kosaka, M., Sugahara, T., Schmidt, K.L., Simon, E. (eds) Thermotherapy for Neoplasia, Inflammation, and Pain. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-67035-3_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-67035-3_15

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