After long-term heat exposure, a discrete group of hypothalamic neurons in the anterior ventromedial preoptic area become hyperactive and acquire temperature sensitivity. This reversible plasticity mechanism renders mice heat tolerant, meaning they can keep their body temperature within physiological limits when ambient temperatures are high.
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References
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This is a summary of: Ambroziak, W. et al. Thermally induced neuronal plasticity in the hypothalamus mediates heat tolerance. Nat. Neurosci. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-024-01830-0 (2024).
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Heat acclimation induces hypothalamic temperature sensitivity that promotes heat tolerance. Nat Neurosci 28, 220–221 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-024-01835-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-024-01835-9
