The central pacemaker for mammalian circadian rhythms, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), receives a wide variety of neurochemical inputs, including cholinergic projections originating in the brainstem and the basal forebrain. The circadian pattern of cholinergic influence and the role of this signal in the functioning of the SCN are still being determined. Early data suggested that acetylcholine caused phase delays in wheel running behavior when applied early in the night, and phase advances when applied late in the night, similar to the response seen following light exposure. However in vitro evidence in both rats and mice indicates that when cholinergic agonists are applied directly to the SCN, either in vivo or in vitro, they cause phase advances throughout the night, with a maximal response at circadian time (CT) 18 in rats and CT 20 in mice. This proposal will attempt to further characterize the cholinergic influence on the SCN, and test the hypothesis that this cholinergic input plays a role in regulating the sleep-wake and circadian cycles of the animal.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Individual Predoctoral NRSA for M.D./Ph.D. Fellowships (ADAMHA) (F30)
Project #
1F30NS047802-01A1
Application #
6835243
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZNS1-SRB-M (06))
Program Officer
Mitler, Merrill
Project Start
2004-08-09
Project End
2008-08-08
Budget Start
2004-08-09
Budget End
2005-08-08
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$70,333
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
041544081
City
Champaign
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
61820
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Abbott, Sabra M; Arnold, Jennifer M; Chang, Qing et al. (2013) Signals from the brainstem sleep/wake centers regulate behavioral timing via the circadian clock. PLoS One 8:e70481
Gillette, Martha U; Abbott, Sabra M (2009) BIOLOGICAL TIMEKEEPING. Sleep Med Clin 4:99-110