Targeted temperature management (TTM) has been recognized to protect tissue function and positively influence neurological outcomes after brain injury. While shivering during hypothermia nullifies the beneficial effect of TTM, traditionally, antishivering drugs or paralyzing agents have been used to reduce the shivering. The hypothalamic area of the brain helps in controlling cerebral temperature and body temperature through interactions between different brain areas. Thus, modulation of different brain areas either pharmacologically or by electrical stimulation may contribute in TTM; although, very few studies have shown that TTM might be achieved by activation and inhibition of neurons in the hypothalamic region. Recent studies have investigated potential pharmacological methods of inducing hypothermia for TTM by aiming to maintain the TTM and reduce the shivering effect without using antiparalytic drugs. Better survival and neurological outcome after brain injury have been reported after pharmacologically induced TTM. This review discusses the mechanisms and modulation of the hypothalamus with other brain areas that are involved in inducing hypothermia through which TTM may be achieved and provides therapeutic strategies for TTM after brain injury.
Keywords: brain injury; electrical stimulation; hypothalamus; pharmacological-induced hypothermia; targeted temperature management; therapeutic hypothermia.