temperaturstimuli

Temperaturstimuli (temperature stimuli) refer to changes in tissue temperature that are detected by thermoreceptors in the body. In physiology and neuroscience, these stimuli are used to study how temperature information is encoded, transmitted, and integrated to produce perception and autonomic responses.

Peripheral detection occurs in thermoreceptors located in the skin and mucous membranes. Warm and cold receptors transduce temperature changes through ion channels, with major players including TRPM8 for cool temperatures and TRPV3/TRPV4 for warmth; TRPV1 detects noxious heat, and TRPA1 contributes to cold sensing and chemical irritants. The signals are carried by primary afferent neurons, typically A-delta and C fibers, to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and then ascend via the spinothalamic tract to the thalamus and somatosensory cortex. Centers in the brainstem and hypothalamus also participate in autonomic and homeostatic responses to temperature change.

Perception and coding of temperaturstimuli involve differentiating innocuous warmth or cold from noxious, potentially painful sensations. The coding relies on fiber type, firing rate, and temporal dynamics, with adaptation and sensitization occurring under certain conditions, such as inflammation. Central processing distributes temperature information to multiple regions, contributing to conscious perception and to affective and autonomic responses.

Measurement and methods use devices such as contact thermodes or Peltier-based systems, water-based temperature baths, or infrared techniques. Key stimulus parameters include baseline temperature, target temperature, rate of change, and duration of exposure, all carefully controlled in experimental and clinical settings.

Applications of temperaturstimuli include sensory testing, pain research, and assessment of small-fiber function. They aid in characterizing thermal thresholds, diagnosing neuropathies, and exploring the neural basis of thermoregulation and somatosensory integration.