Cold sensing neural circuits in newborn mice take around two weeks to become fully active, according to a new study.
The finding adds to understanding of the cold sensing protein TRPM8 (pronounced trip-em-ate), first identified in a Nature paper in 2002 by David McKemy of the University of Southern California.
McKemy's latest study, published online by Neuroscience, shows that the cold sensing circuit starts to develop in utero but does not mature until well after birth.
"About three or four days before the animal is born, the protein is expressed. However, the axons of these nerves going into the spinal cord are not fully formed until probably two weeks after birth," McKemy said.
The delay in development of cold sensing is plausible, McKemy added.
"In the womb, when would we ever feel cold?"
By contrast, mice are born with a keen sense of smell, which they need to breast feed successfully.
Direct study of the cold sensing protein TRPM8 in humans is not yet possible. While sensory development differs in mice and humans mice are born blind, for example the study suggests a possible biological basis for findings of altered cold sensitivity in children.
In a 2008 study of temperature sensation by the Institute of Child Health at University College London, researchers found that 11-year-old children born prematurely were less sensitive to temperature than those born at term.
"This is consistent with our observations that the circuitry is not fully developed until after birth, thus anything that disrupts this formation at this important stage could have long term effects," McKemy noted.
"There are other reports that injury and inflammation in rodent models that occur during the (prenatal) period lead to altered temperature sensitivity as well as altered neural circuits."
The USC researchers tracked development of cold sensing through mice genetically enginee
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| Contact: Carl Marziali marziali@usc.edu 213-740-4751 University of Southern California Source:Eurekalert |