Surreal illustration of a brain thermostat regulated by serotonin during anesthesia.

Can Serotonin Hold the Key to Preventing Hypothermia During Anesthesia?

Samir D’Costa in Health & Wellness January 2026 • 4 min read.

"New research explores how serotonin receptors could help maintain body temperature during surgery, potentially reducing risks and improving patient outcomes."

Anesthesia is a critical part of many medical procedures, but it comes with risks. One common side effect is anesthesia-induced hypothermia (AIH), where a patient's body temperature drops dangerously low. This can lead to increased mortality, weakened immune responses, heart problems, and a higher chance of surgical wound infections. While techniques like warming fluids and forced-air heating systems exist, they aren't always effective and can even cause burns or other adverse effects.

A new approach focuses on how to help the body regulate its own temperature during anesthesia. Researchers have been looking at serotonin, a neurotransmitter known for its role in mood and well-being, and its potential to prevent AIH. Specifically, they've investigated whether stimulating certain serotonin receptors can help maintain a stable body temperature.

A recent study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology explores the use of a specific serotonin receptor agonist, WAY-163909, in preventing ketamine-induced hypothermia in mice. The findings suggest that targeting serotonin receptors could be a promising way to minimize the risks associated with AIH.

Serotonin's Role in Body Temperature Regulation: How Does It Work?

Surreal illustration of a brain thermostat regulated by serotonin during anesthesia.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT) is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in many bodily functions, including mood regulation, sleep, and appetite. It also influences body temperature through its interaction with various receptors in the brain and peripheral nervous system.

The hypothalamus, a region in the brain, acts like the body's thermostat. It receives information about body temperature and triggers responses to maintain a stable internal environment. Serotonin receptors, particularly the 5-HT2 family, are found in the hypothalamus and influence these thermoregulatory processes. Some studies suggest that stimulating these receptors can increase body temperature, making them a potential target for combating AIH.

5-HT2A Receptors: Linked to vasoconstriction, which helps conserve heat.
5-HT2C Receptors: Abundantly expressed in the hypothalamus and can increase body temperature and metabolic activity.

Researchers hypothesized that by stimulating 5-HT2 receptors, they could counteract the hypothermic effects of anesthesia. This approach could offer a more physiological way to maintain body temperature compared to external warming methods.

The Future of AIH Prevention: Serotonin-Based Therapies?

This research highlights the potential of targeting serotonin receptors to prevent anesthesia-induced hypothermia. While the study focused on ketamine-induced hypothermia in mice, the findings suggest a broader application for managing AIH during various surgical procedures. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects, optimal dosages, and potential interactions with other anesthetic agents. However, the possibility of a pharmacological approach to maintaining body temperature during surgery offers a promising avenue for improving patient safety and outcomes.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.11.003, Alternate LINK

Title: The Serotonin 2C Receptor Agonist Way-163909 Attenuates Ketamine-Induced Hypothermia In Mice

Subject: Pharmacology

Journal: European Journal of Pharmacology

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Tyler J. Murphy, Kevin S. Murnane

Published: 2019-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

Why is anesthesia-induced hypothermia (AIH) a concern during surgery, and what are the current methods used to address it?

Anesthesia-induced hypothermia, or AIH, is concerning because it can lead to increased mortality, weakened immune responses, heart problems, and a higher risk of surgical wound infections. Current methods to combat AIH include warming fluids and forced-air heating systems. However, these methods aren't always effective and can sometimes cause adverse effects like burns. A more physiological approach is being investigated focusing on the body's own temperature regulation mechanisms.

What role does serotonin play in regulating body temperature, and how does this relate to preventing anesthesia-induced hypothermia?

Serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT, is a neurotransmitter involved in various bodily functions, including mood regulation, sleep, and appetite. It also influences body temperature through its interaction with receptors in the brain and peripheral nervous system. The hypothalamus, acting as the body's thermostat, contains serotonin receptors like the 5-HT2 family. Stimulating these receptors, especially 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C, can increase body temperature, potentially counteracting anesthesia-induced hypothermia.

Can you explain how stimulating specific serotonin receptors, like 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C, can help maintain body temperature during anesthesia?

Stimulating specific serotonin receptors can influence thermoregulation. 5-HT2A receptors are linked to vasoconstriction, which helps conserve heat. 5-HT2C receptors, abundantly expressed in the hypothalamus, can increase both body temperature and metabolic activity. By stimulating these receptors, the body can potentially counteract the hypothermic effects induced by anesthesia, offering a physiological approach to maintaining body temperature.

What is WAY-163909, and how was it used in the study mentioned to explore the relationship between serotonin and hypothermia?

WAY-163909 is a specific serotonin receptor agonist. A study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology explored its use in preventing ketamine-induced hypothermia in mice. The findings suggested that targeting serotonin receptors with agonists like WAY-163909 could be a promising way to minimize the risks associated with anesthesia-induced hypothermia. This research provides a basis for further investigation into serotonin-based therapies for managing AIH.

What are the potential future implications of research focusing on serotonin and anesthesia-induced hypothermia, and what further studies are needed?

The potential implications of research focusing on serotonin and anesthesia-induced hypothermia include the development of new pharmacological approaches to maintain body temperature during surgery, potentially improving patient safety and outcomes. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of serotonin-targeting drugs, determine optimal dosages, and investigate potential interactions with other anesthetic agents. While the initial study focused on ketamine-induced hypothermia in mice, broader applications for managing AIH during various surgical procedures should be explored. This could lead to more effective and physiological methods for preventing hypothermia compared to current external warming techniques.