# A novel central circuit involved in paradoxical thermoregulatory inversion and induction of torpor-like state

> **NIH NIH R01** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $269,500

## Abstract

Project Summary
 To maintain body core temperature (TCORE) in mammals, the central nervous system
thermoregulatory networks respond to skin cooling by increasing brown adipose tissue and
shivering thermogenesis, and by reducing heat loss via cutaneous vasoconstriction. However,
there are several conditions (e.g., hibernation, torpor, REM sleep) in which these “standard”
thermoregulatory responses to protect TCORE appear to be superseded by a “thermoregulatory
inversion” in which cold exposure causes inhibition of thermogenesis and warm exposure
stimulates thermogenesis. We hypothesize that blockade of POA thermoregulatory function is
required for the initiation of thermoregulatory inversion and that such paradoxical
thermoregulation is governed by a new central thermoregulatory pathway. We will employ in
vivo neurophysiological studies in anesthetized rats, a parallel demonstration of
thermoregulatory inversion in a free-behaving rat model, and state-of-the-art anatomical studies
to understand the relevant neural pathways regulating thermoregulatory inversion. This study
will open a new field of research in thermoregulation and will elucidate a new mechanism for a
rapid, controllable, stable and reversible induction of hypothermia for the treatment of ischemic
stroke, brain trauma and to block persistent, high neurogenic fevers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10176607
- **Project number:** 5R01NS099234-05
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Domenico Tupone
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $269,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-28 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10176607

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10176607, A novel central circuit involved in paradoxical thermoregulatory inversion and induction of torpor-like state (5R01NS099234-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10176607. Licensed CC0.

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