Control of Circadian Behavior by Transplanted Suprachiasmatic Nuclei.
Abstract
Over the past three years we have focused our research efforts on the study of the properties of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the tau mutant hamster. In general we have sought to understand how this mutation, which changes the period of circadian rhythmicity from about 2.4 hours in wild-type animals to near 20 hours in homozygous mutants, affects the SCN itself and how it affects the locomotor behavior which is driven by the SCN. Specifically we have used SCN lesions, which abolish behavioral rhythmicity, followed by transplantation of fetal or neonatal donor SCN, which restores rhythmicity, to ask which components of rhythmic behavior are intrinsic to the SCN and which may depend on its interaction with other structures. We have also studied the free running locomotor rhythms of mutant and wild-type hamsters and compared their responses to constant darkness, constant light and to phase shifting light pulses as a first step toward discovering whether the profound differences that exist in the parameters call all be accounted for by changes in the SCN.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 02, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA285233
Entities
People
- Michael Menaker
Organizations
- University of Virginia