Ground squirrels - experts in thermoregulatory adaptation

Viktor V Feketa; Sviatoslav N Bagriantsev; Elena O Gracheva

doi:10.1016/j.tins.2023.04.008

Ground squirrels - experts in thermoregulatory adaptation

Trends Neurosci. 2023 Jul;46(7):505-507. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.04.008. Epub 2023 May 13.

Authors

Viktor V Feketa¹, Sviatoslav N Bagriantsev², Elena O Gracheva³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
² Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 37188617
DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.04.008

Abstract

Ground squirrels exemplify one of the most extreme forms of mammalian hibernation and a convenient model for studying its mechanisms. Their thermoregulatory system demonstrates remarkable adaptive capabilities by maintaining optimal levels of body temperature both in active and hibernation states. Here, we review recent findings and unresolved issues regarding the neural mechanisms of body temperature control in ground squirrels.

Keywords: body temperature; hibernation; hypothalamus; metabolism; pre-optic area; torpor.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Adaptation, Physiological
Animals
Body Temperature
Body Temperature Regulation*
Hibernation*
Humans
Sciuridae

Grants and funding

R01 NS126271/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States