Temperature Dependence of Neural Computation

Neuronal processing depends on temperature. Although in mammals large temperature deviations are prevented by the central regulation of body temperature, the temperature of the healthy brain is subject to fluctuations on the order of two degrees Celsius. Such variations are even more pronounced under pathological conditions like fever or hypothermia. Temperature affects physico-chemical processes in the brain and hence modulates electrical activity of neurons. The aim of the project is to investigate the consequences of temperature changes on neural processing and to identify mechanisms that enable nervous systems to retain their functionality despite temperature fluctuations.