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Role of the Preoptic Area in the Inter-
relationship Between Thermoregulatory and
Sleep Regulatory Mechanisms
Velayudhan Mohan Kumar, Ph.D.
The sleep related changes in body temperature and the effects of environmental
temperature on sleep,had given rise to the thought that the regulation of sleep and body
temperature are intimately related.Another strong reason for this belief is the fact that the
preoptic area which participates in the regulation of sleep is also considered as the main
center for regulation of body temperature.Manipulations of the preoptic area temperature
also alter sleep.The thermosensitive neurons of the preoptic area have been implicated not
only in the regulation of body temperature but also of sleep.It was suggested that the
thermoreceptors in the preoptic area may provide the input to the sleep-regulating
mechanisms situated in this area.But the preoptic lesion and stimulation studies have
shown that these regulations are controlled by independent,but overlapping neuronal
mechanisms.The preoptic area could be playing an important role in fine-tuning the energy
reserves,in which sleep and temperature regulations may be involved.The role of the
preoptic area,in the inter-relationship between thermoregulatory and sleep regulatory
mechanisms,which has given rise to the formulation of several hypotheses on sleep
function,is addressed in this review.(Sleep and Hypnosis 1999;1:1-9)
Keywords: preoptic area, sleep, thermoregulation, interrelationship, lesion, stimulation, energy,
neuronal activity, temperature |
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