The mammalian brain controls heat generation and heat loss mechanisms that regulate body temperature and energy metabolism. Thermoeffectors include brown adipose tissue, cutaneous blood flow and skeletal muscle, and metabolic energy sources include white adipose tissue. Neural and metabolic pathways modulating the activity and functional plasticity of these mechanisms contribute not only to the optimization of function during acute challenges, such as ambient temperature changes, infection and stress, but also to longitudinal adaptations to environmental and internal changes. Exposure of humans to repeated and seasonal cold ambient conditions leads to adaptations in thermoeffectors such as habituation of cutaneous vasoconstriction and shivering. In animals that undergo hibernation and torpor, neurally regulated metabolic and thermoregulatory adaptations enable survival during periods of significant reduction in metabolic rate. In addition, changes in diet can activate accessory neural pathways that alter thermoeffector activity. This knowledge may be harnessed for therapeutic purposes, including treatments for obesity and improved means of therapeutic hypothermia.

哺乳动物大脑控制热量产生和热量散失机制，从而调节体温和能量代谢。热效应器包括棕色脂肪组织、皮肤血流和骨骼肌，代谢能源包括白色脂肪组织。调节这些机制的活性和功能可塑性的神经和代谢途径不仅有助于在环境温度变化、感染和压力等急性挑战期间优化功能，而且有助于对环境和内部变化的纵向适应。人类反复暴露在季节性寒冷的环境条件下会导致热效应器的适应，例如皮肤血管收缩和颤抖的习惯。在经历冬眠和麻木的动物中，神经调节的代谢和温度调节适应使动物能够在代谢率显着降低的时期生存。此外，饮食的改变可以激活辅助神经通路，从而改变热效应器的活动。这些知识可用于治疗目的，包括治疗肥胖症和改进低温治疗方法。