title: The suprachiasmatic nucleus: age-related decline in biological rhythms.
abstract: Aging is associated with changes in sleep duration and quality, as well as increased rates of pathologic/disordered sleep. While several factors contribute to these changes, emerging research suggests that age-related changes in the mammalian central circadian clock within the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) may be a key factor. Prior work from our group suggests that circadian output from the SCN declines because of aging. Furthermore, we have previously observed age-related infertility in female mice, caused by a mismatch between environmental light-dark cycles and the intrinsic, internal biological clocks. In this review, we address regulatory mechanisms underlying circadian rhythms in mammals and summarize recent literature describing the effects of aging on the circadian system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 214-8571, Japan.
authors.forename: Takahiro J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Oral Chronobiology, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: Nana N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Takasu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Oral Chronobiology, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan. wataru@dent.osaka-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Wataru
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nakamura
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000502:physiology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D017440:Photoperiod; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Aging; Circadian rhythm; Estrous cycle; Infertility; Suprachiasmatic nucleus