Systems for analysing thermal emotion (behavioral thermoregulation)

在本研究中，我们开发了用于分析(1)人的热舒适感觉和(2)大鼠的行为体温调节的系统。在人类中，我们使用功能磁共振成像来研究全身降温或变暖所激活的大脑区域。对于热刺激，我们开发了一种特殊的袋子，里面有一个人体受试者仰卧躺着。通过袋子的空气流动受温度控制。8名男性受试者暴露在8或13℃的冷空气中22min，每1min进行一次热舒适性评分。主观热舒适评分与双侧杏仁核局部脑血流变化相关；即受试者感觉寒冷时，那里的神经活动增加。提示杏仁核在热舒适的发生中起一定作用，该系统可用于分析人体的热舒适感。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。一只老鼠在盒子里自由移动。它的位置是通过光电监测的，而它的深层体温是通过遥测系统监测的。在热逃逸实验中，热空气(40℃)流过盒子。当大鼠进入奖励区域时，空气源被切换，冷空气(0℃)在给定的时间段(30秒)内流过盒子。相反，在冷逃生实验中，冷空气流过盒子，当老鼠进入奖励区时，空气来源被切换到温暖的空气来源。实验表明，老鼠很快就会学会呆在奖励区附近，并定期进进出出。该系统以行为为基础，比常用的杠杆按压反应更自然，在涉及行为体温调节的研究中具有许多优势。

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.