Increased light intensity prevents the age related loss of vasopressin-expressing neurons in the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus.
We investigated whether increased light input can counteract the age-related decrease in vasopressin- (AVP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-expressing neurons of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) by determining the numbers of these neurons in rats of different ages, housed under low or high intensities of light. The significant age-related decrease for AVP was prevented in old animals after high light housing. For VIP, no effects were found.
Lucassen
P J
PJ
Graduate School Neurosciences Amsterdam, Netherlands Institute for Brain Research, The Netherlands.
Hofman
M A
MA
Swaab
D F
DF
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D051381:Rats; D011914:Rats, Inbred BN; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000166:cytology*; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000032:analysis*
D014667:Vasopressins