title: The clock in the brain: neurons, glia, and networks in daily rhythms.
abstract: The master coordinator of daily schedules in mammals, located in the ventral hypothalamus, is the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). This relatively small population of neurons and glia generates circadian rhythms in physiology and behavior and synchronizes them to local time. Recent advances have begun to define the roles of specific cells and signals (e.g., peptides, amino acids, and purine derivatives) within this network that generate and synchronize daily rhythms. Here we focus on the best-studied signals between neurons and between glia in the mammalian circadian system with an emphasis on time-of-day pharmacology. Where possible, we highlight how commonly used drugs affect the circadian system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA. slate@wusm.wustl.edu
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Slat
authors.forename: G Mark
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: Erik D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Herzog
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000502:physiology; D057906:Circadian Clocks / Q000502:physiology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000502:physiology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001127:Arginine Vasopressin; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid