Lesions of the suprachiasmatic nucleus disrupt circadian locomotor rhythms in the mouse.
Entrained and free-running rhythms of wheel-running activity were recorded in male BALB/cByJ mice with electrolytic lesions of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), site of a circadian pacemaker in mammals. Complete ablation of the nucleus abolished the circadian locomotor rhythm; in some cases, wheel-running was synchronized by a light-dark cycle, but the phase relationship of this activity to the cycle was often aberrant. Unilateral lesions or those missing the SCN did not eliminate rhythmicity.
Schwartz
W J
WJ
Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester 01655.
Zimmerman
P
P
D000818:Animals; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*