Brown TM, Piggins HD. Electrophysiology of the suprachiasmatic circadian clock.
Prog Neurobiol 2007;
82:229-55. [PMID:
17646042 DOI:
10.1016/j.pneurobio.2007.05.002]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2006] [Revised: 03/29/2007] [Accepted: 05/30/2007] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, an internal timekeeping mechanism located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) orchestrates a diverse array of neuroendocrine and physiological parameters to anticipate the cyclical environmental fluctuations that occur every solar day. Electrophysiological recording techniques have proved invaluable in shaping our understanding of how this endogenous clock becomes synchronized to salient environmental cues and appropriately coordinates the timing of a multitude of physiological rhythms in other areas of the brain and body. In this review we discuss the pioneering studies that have shaped our understanding of how this biological pacemaker functions, from input to output. Further, we highlight insights from new studies indicating that, more than just reflecting its oscillatory output, electrical activity within individual clock cells is a vital part of SCN clockwork itself.
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