1. 1.|The influence of temperature changes on Ca 2+-binding to brain ganglioside mixtures of different polarity, to single gangliosides (G M1, G D1a, G T1b) and to their deceramide was investigated potentiometrically by means of ion-selective electrodes. 2. 2.|Following cooling (3.5°C/min.) from 37 to 13°C the Ca 2+-binding to gangliosides, except G M1, was increased (7–30%). 3. 3.|Subsequent rewarming from 13 to 37°C resulted in up to 100% release of previously-bound Ca 2+. 4. 4.|When comparing the maximal absolute binding difference of Ca 2+ to gangliosides during temperature changes a decrease of these differences could be stated which corresponds to an increase in the polarity of the gangliosides. 5. 5.|From these experiments it is concluded that a higher polarity of neuronal gangliosides is responsible for a lower thermal sensitivity of Ca 2+-binding to these compounds. This may be involved in the process of thermal adaptation of ectothermic vertebrates.