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Activation of glycine receptor phase‐shifts the circadian rhythm in neuronal activity in the mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus
Author(s) -
Mordel Jérôme,
Karnas Diana,
Inyushkin Alexey,
Challet Etienne,
Pévet Paul,
Meissl Hilmar
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2010.204693
Subject(s) - suprachiasmatic nucleus , glycine receptor , strychnine , neuroscience , circadian rhythm , premovement neuronal activity , light effects on circadian rhythm , neurotransmitter , glycine , chemistry , patch clamp , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , receptor , biology , electrophysiology , medicine , endocrinology , central nervous system , amino acid , biochemistry
Non‐technical summary In mammals, an internal timing system in the suprachiasmatic nucleus generates circadian (24 h) rhythms and communicates its circadian signal to other brain areas by means of action potentials where it regulates our daily schedules of physiological and endocrine processes. Several input pathways of the suprachiasmatic nucleus can influence the endogenous timing system and synchronize it with environmental timing cues. We show here that the inhibitory neurotransmitter glycine can modulate the activity of clock neurons and can reset their rhythmic activity depending on the phase of the daily cycle. The knowledge of these synchronizing mechanisms is of importance for understanding the consequences of perturbations of the circadian timing system that could lead to serious health impairments.