Abstract
Localized thermal responses evoked in discrete nuclei of the brain by sensory stimulation were recorded in anesthetized and awake cats. In anesthetized animals, low-frequency light flashes (2–12 flash/sec) produced temperature increases, while high flash rates (52–62 flash/sec) and steady light generally evoked temperature decreases in the lateral geniculate nucleus. Under chronic conditions, all visual stimuli produced temperature increases although smaller responses were evoked by high flash rates and steady light than by low flash rates. Auditory stimuli, such as tones, clicks and random noise, produced temperature increases in the inferior colliculus. The mean-square electrical activity was also recorded and correlated well with the evoked thermal activity although exceptions occurred. Comparison of the temperatures of the brain and the carotid blood, and the use of a Gibbs heated probe indicated that evoked thermal responses are due to changes both in local neural metabolic heat production and in local blood flow.
Published Version
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