Cellular Analysis of Circadian Rhythmicity in Cultured SCN Neurons.

Abstract

In mammals, the biological clock that generates circadian rhythms is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus. A system for automated, long-term monitoring of circadian firing rhythms from multiple SON neurons has been developed. In this dissociated culture system, cell interactions can be manipulated and individual rhythmic cells are accessible for further detailed study. With this system, single SCN neurons were shown to express circadian oscillations in firing rate for weeks. Despite abundant functional synapses, SCN neurons in the same culture expressed circadian rhythms of widely different phases, and even somewhat different circadian cycle lengths (periods). These data provide the strongest evidence to date that the SCN is composed of multiple circadian oscillators (clock cells).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 31, 1997
Accession Number
ADA325695

Entities

People

  • Steven M. Reppert

Organizations

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Anatomy
  • Astrocytes
  • Brain
  • Cells
  • Central Nervous System
  • Circadian Rhythms
  • Firing Rate
  • Intercellular Junctions
  • Medical Personnel
  • Nervous System
  • Neurons
  • Neurosciences
  • Oscillation
  • Oscillators

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Neuroscience