Discovered: Brain Cells that Control Hibernation-Like States

Two papers from different research teams simultaneously report this discovery in about the same region of the brain. Just wondering, do humans also have these brain cells to go into torpor?

"Focusing on the hypothalamus ... the team used a “clever genetic trick,” ... to tag cells activated upon entry into torpor. Later, once the animals were fed and recovered, the genetic trickery enabled the team to reactivate those same neurons, sending the fed animals back into torpor."

" ... were investigating the function of a tiny handful of hypothalamus cells that express a particular neuropeptide called pyroglutamylated RF-amide peptide (QRFP). ... So, when they stimulated the QRFP-producing cells, which they call Q neurons, in mice and found it induced an extended torpor ... Inhibiting Q neurons impaired normal torpor, the team also showed."

Discovered: Brain Cells that Control Hibernation-Like States | The Scientist Magazine® Two independent teams identify neuron populations in the mouse brain that regulate the physiological changes associated with torpor.