The locus coeruleus maintains core body temperature and protects against hypothermia during dexmedetomidine induced sedation.

Dexmedetomidine (DEX), a widely used sedative in intensive care, induces an arousable state resembling non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and lowers body temperature. For some patients, even slight decreases in body temperature during sedation could pose health risks. It is commonly believed that DEX targets inhibitory adrenergic receptors on norepinephrinergic locus coeruleus (LC) neurons to induce sedation.