suprachiasmatic nucleus

Latest

suprachiasmatic nucleus

This is a diagram of how sunlight affects the SCN and helps control circadian rhythm

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·September 5, 2022·4 min read

How Changes in Length of Day Change the Brain and Subsequent Behavior

Neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus coordinate to adapt to different lengths of daylight, changing at cellular and network levels. The neurons changed in mix and expression of dopamine, altering brain activity and subsequently daily routine behaviors.

This shows a group of people clinking glasses of alcohol

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 11, 2022·4 min read

Alcohol Consumption Is Affected by a Protein Linked to the Circadian Rhythm

Mouse study reveals the presence of the Baml1 gene in the striatum has a sexually dimorphic effect on alcohol consumption. Male mice without the protein consumed more alcohol than those who did, while the reverse was true for females.

This shows the outline of a person's head

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 1, 2021·4 min read

Fight or Flight, Unless Internal Clocks Are Disrupted

Daily release of glucocorticoids depends on coordination between the clock gene and activity rhythms of neurons within two parts of the hypothalamus.

This shows a woman and a bottle of scotch

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·February 20, 2021·4 min read

Circadian Rhythm Genes in Key Brain Region Are Involved in Binge Drinking

The circadian CLOCK gene in the nucleus accumbens shell plays a crucial role in binge drinking behaviors in mouse models.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 2, 2020·5 min read

Circadian Rhythms Help Guide Waste From Brain

During wakeful periods, the glymphatic system diverts cerebrospinal fluid to lymph nodes in the neck. The CSF may act as a "fluid clock" that helps initiate the body's infection-fighting capabilities during the day. Astrocytes in the suprachiasmatic nucleus may serve to control CSF through the central nervous system. Communication between astrocytes in different brain regions may optimize the glymphatic system's function as we sleep.

This is the chemical structure of dopamine

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 2, 2020·5 min read

Study finds dopamine, biological clock link to snacking, overeating and obesity

Findings define a connection between reward, dopamine, and circadian pathways in the overeating.

This shows a diagram of the artificial membrane

Featured Neuroscience

·October 9, 2019·3 min read

Brain tissue kept alive for weeks on an artificial membrane

A newly developed microfluidic device allowed researchers to keep tissue from the suprachiasmatic nucleus alive for over 25 days.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 20, 2019·3 min read

Newly discovered neural pathway processes acute light to affect sleep

Study challenges the widely accepted belief that all light information is relayed through the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which synchronizes the circadian rhythm.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 13, 2018·4 min read

The VIPs of the Nervous System

Researchers have unlocked a cure for jet lag by activating VIP neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 21, 2018·5 min read

Eating at Night and Sleeping by Day Swiftly Alters Key Blood Proteins

Researchers report proteins associated with immunity and metabolism can become disrupted following just one simulated night shift.

Featured Genetics

·May 9, 2018·4 min read

Study Links Breast Cancer to Body’s Internal Clock

Researchers have found an association between the Per2 gene and breast cancer. The Per2 gene plays an important role in both the body's circadian clock and mammary gland development.