Membrane Properties and Neural Circuits of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus.
Abstract
The goal of these studies was to examine local synaptic circuits in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and the effect of GABA on suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons. Electrophysiological evidence was provided to support the hypothesis that suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons are interconnected through a system of GABA- mediated local circuits. Previous studies had suggested that GABA was excitatory during subjective day, but our lab and two others corroborated and extended previous findings indicating that GABA is inhibitory during both subjective day and night. Other experiments showed that zinc and benzodiazepines modulate GABA-mediated inhibition of suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons. In particular, benzodiazepines augment the effect of GABA on these inhibitory circuits. These experiments have provided fundamental information on GABA-mediated local circuits in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which would be expected to be a fundamental part of the circadian timing system in mammals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 30, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA379224
Entities
People
- Bret N. Smith
- Edward F. Dudek
- G. J. Strecker
- John E. Rash
- Thomas Yasumura
Organizations
- Colorado State University