Neural correlates of individual differences in circadian behaviour. Proc Biol Sci 2015 Jul 07;282(1810)
Date
06/26/2015Pubmed ID
26108632Pubmed Central ID
PMC4590485DOI
10.1098/rspb.2015.0769Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84933059727 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 13 CitationsAbstract
Daily rhythms in mammals are controlled by the circadian system, which is a collection of biological clocks regulated by a central pacemaker within the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the anterior hypothalamus. Changes in SCN function have pronounced consequences for behaviour and physiology; however, few studies have examined whether individual differences in circadian behaviour reflect changes in SCN function. Here, PERIOD2::LUCIFERASE mice were exposed to a behavioural assay to characterize individual differences in baseline entrainment, rate of re-entrainment and free-running rhythms. SCN slices were then collected for ex vivo bioluminescence imaging to gain insight into how the properties of the SCN clock influence individual differences in behavioural rhythms. First, individual differences in the timing of locomotor activity rhythms were positively correlated with the timing of SCN rhythms. Second, slower adjustment during simulated jetlag was associated with a larger degree of phase heterogeneity among SCN neurons. Collectively, these findings highlight the role of the SCN network in determining individual differences in circadian behaviour. Furthermore, these results reveal novel ways that the network organization of the SCN influences plasticity at the behavioural level, and lend insight into potential interventions designed to modulate the rate of resynchronization during transmeridian travel and shift work.
Author List
Evans JA, Leise TL, Castanon-Cervantes O, Davidson AJAuthor
Jennifer A. Evans PhD Assistant Professor in the Biomedical Sciences department at Marquette UniversityMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AnimalsCircadian Clocks
Circadian Rhythm
Luminescent Measurements
Male
Mice
Motor Activity
Phenotype
Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
