The response of suprachiasmatic neurons of the rat hypothalamus to photic and nicotinic stimuli.
Single neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and surrounding hypothalamic nuclei of the rat were characterized functionally and pharmacologically. Photically responsive neurons of the SCN typically exhibited a similar response to intravenous nicotine. The response to nicotine was antagonized by the nicotinic blocker, mecamylamine. Nicotinic blockade either eliminated or even reversed the sign of the photic response during subsequent photic stimulation. This constellation of results was not seen in neurons of adjacent hypothalamic regions.
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D007032:Hypothalamus, Anterior / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008464:Mecamylamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D008464:Mecamylamine; D009538:Nicotine