LOCALIZATION OF CEREBRAL CENTER ACTIVATING HEAT-LOSS MECHANISMS IN MONKEYS

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Abstract
Local heating of the brain of the monkey by a low-voltage. high-frequency current passed between electrodes oriented in the brain with the Horsley-Clarke technic demonstrated a reactive field which responds by bringing into play the heat-loss mechanisms of sweating and polypnea. The probably associated vasodilatation was not demonstrated because of technical difficulties. The area in question is located in the preoptic region of the telencephalon between the anterior commissure and the optic chiasma, with a rostro-caudal extent of about 2 mm. and a lateral reach of about, 3 mm. to either side of the midline. The disposition of the heat-sensitive area in the monkey is in close accordance with the location of the similar center previously outlined for the cat. Because the monkey is more closely related phylogenetically to man and because, like man, it sweats but does not pant, the results presented in this paper make it highly probable that the heat-sensitive area has the same location in man. This is in agreement with what little evidence is available from clinical studies. The results are interpreted as identification of a reactive region which contains elements normally activated by the rising temp. of the blood when the animal is overheated, and in turn activating the mechanisms of heat-loss.

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