The locus coeruleus maintains core body temperature and protects against hypothermia during dexmedetomidine-induced sedation.

ABSTRACT: Activating the adra2a receptors of the brain's norepinephrine (NE) system produces NREM-like sleep and hypothermia. Dexmedetomidine (DEX), a selective α2 receptor (adra2a) agonist, is an important drug used in intensive care for arousable sedation. But for some patients, even slight decreases in body temperature during sedation could pose health risks such as increasing the likelihood of postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Where are the adra2a receptors at which DEX acts to induce hypothermia? A popular theory is that inhibitory adra2a receptors expressed on norepinephrinergic locus coeruleus (LC) neurons are DEX's prime targets. To examine this, we genetically lesioned galanin (gal)-expressing norepinephrinergic LC neurons in adult mice. In these

SUBMITTER: Anuncibay Soto B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12541345 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature