The effects of hyperthemia on the afferent sensory transmission to neurons in the primary somatosensory (SI) cortex were determined in anesthetized rats. Afferent sensory transmission evoked by electrical stimulation to the forepaw area was not significantly changed during gradual heating to 42^oC and subsequent recovery to normal body temperature. However, afferent transmission was significantly elevated (17∼23%) when body temperature was maintained steadily at 42^oC of hyperthermia. These results suggest that differential changes of afferent sensory transmission to the somatosensory cortex may occur between short period of body temperature elevation and sustained hyperthermia.

Keywords: hyperthermia, SI cortex, sensory transmission