Systems for analysing thermal emotion (behavioral thermoregulation)

在本研究中，我们开发了用于分析(1)人类热舒适感觉和(2)大鼠行为热调节的系统。在人类身上，我们使用功能磁共振成像来搜索由于全身降温或升温而激活的大脑区域。对于热刺激，我们开发了一种特殊的袋子，其中人类受试者躺在仰卧位。温度控制气流通过袋。8名男性受试者暴露在8或13℃的冷空气中22分钟，每1分钟进行一次热舒适评分。主观热舒适评分与双侧杏仁核rCBF变化相关；也就是说，当受试者感到寒冷时，那里的神经活动就会增加。研究表明，杏仁核在热舒适的产生过程中起着一定的作用，对人体热舒适感觉的分析具有重要意义。用于大鼠行为体温调节的操作系统包含一个可以对流加热或冷却的盒子。老鼠在盒子里自由活动。它的位置由光电监测，而它的深层体温由遥测系统监测。在热逸实验中，热空气（40℃）流经箱体。当大鼠进入奖励区时，空气源被切换，冷空气（0℃）流过盒子一段时间（30秒）。相反，在冷逃逸实验中，冷空气流经盒子，当老鼠进入奖励区时，空气源被切换到温暖的。实验表明，老鼠很快就学会了待在奖励区附近，并定期进出奖励区。该系统基于比常用的杠杆按压反应更自然的行为，并且在涉及行为体温调节的研究中具有许多优点。

In the present study we developed systems for analyzing (1) thermal comfort sensation in human and (2) behavioral thermoregulation in rats. In humans we used fMRI to search the brain regions activated by whole body cooling or warming. For thermal stimulation we have developed a special bag in which a human subject laid in supine position. Temperature controlled air flow through the bag. Eight male subjects were exposed to cool air of 8 or 13℃ for 22 min and scored their thermal comfort in every 1 min. The subjective thermal comfort score was correlated with rCBF changes in bilateral amygdala ; i.e.the neural activity there increased as the subjects felt it cold. It is suggested that the amygdala plays some role in the genesis of thermal comfort and this system is considered to be useful to analyze thermal comfort sensation in human. The operant system used for the rat behavioral thermoregulation contains a box that can be convectively heated or cooled. A rat moves freely in the box. Its location is monitored photoelectrically while its deep body temperature is monitored by a telemetry system. In heat-escape experiments hot air (40℃) flows through the box. When the rat enters a reward zone the air source is switched and cold air (0℃) flows through the box for a given period (30 sec). Conversely, in cold-escape experiments cold air flows through the box and when the rat enters the reward zone the air source is switched to a warm one. Experiments show that rats quickly learn to stay near the reward zone and move in and out of it periodically. This system is based on behavior more natural than the frequently used lever-pressing response, and has many advantages for use in studies involving behavioral thermoregulation.