Brain protection against heat

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25870831
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Environmental physiology(including physical medicine and nutritional physiology); Sports science
• Research Institution: International University of Health and Welfare (2015-2016); Waseda University (2013-2014)
• Principal Investigator: Matsuda Mayumi 国際医療福祉大学, 成田看護学部, 講師 (40634572)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 選択的脳冷却 / 行動性体温調節 / 自律性体温調節 / 温熱的快適感

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Regional differences in thermal pleasantness over the body surface are present in humans. During mild heat exposure, local cooling is most pleasant when applied to the face. Conversely, during mild cold exposure, local warming of the trunk area produced a strong pleasant sensation. These preferences would induce humans to cool their heads in the heat and maintain the warmth of the trunk area in the cold. The preference for a low facial temperature in the heat may help avoid heat-induced damage to the brain. Brain temperature cannot be measured easily in healthy humans. Some studies have reported that tympanic temperature is not affected by skin temperature and reflect body core temperature. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate validity of tympanic temperature as an index of body core temperature under normothermic condition, and to evaluate the effect of the head or neck cooling on brain temperature (tympanic temperature) under hyperthermic condition.

Free Research Field

環境生理学