Cited by 847Circadian rhythm and melatoninSleep and Wakefulness ResearchOlfactory and Sensory Function Studies

The suprachiasmatic nucleus of the human brain in relation to sex, age and senile dementia

Swaab, D.F., Fliers, E., Partiman, T.S.·1985·Brain Research

Abstract

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is considered to be the endogenous clock of the brain, essential for the ovulation cycle and the temporal organization of sleep-wake patterns, among other things. Immunocytochemical staining with anti-vasopressin as a marker permitted a morphometric study of this nucleus in the human brain, which revealed that the shape of the SCN is sexually dimorphic. The shape of the SCN was elongated in women and more spherical in men. In both sexes a decrease in SCN volume and cell number was observed in senescence (80-100 years). The latter change was especially pronounced in patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT). This suggests the presence of a structural defect in the SCN which underlies the general disturbance of biological rhythms in senescence and SDAT.

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Crossref · 10.1016/0006-8993(85)91350-2

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40 of 40 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The number of vasopressin-expressing cells in the SCN in humans and rodents reduces with age, possibly altering SCN output.

    “The number of vasopressin-expressing cells in the SCN in humans243,244 and rodents245,246 reduces with age, possibly altering SCN output.”
  • AD brains show marked loss of neurons in the SCN, and SCN neuronal loss correlates with reductions in the amplitude of motor activity rhythms in the same individuals before death.

    “AD brains show marked loss of neurons in the SCN243,244,262, and SCN neuronal loss correlates with reductions in the amplitude of motor activity rhythms in the same individuals before death240.”

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Authors
Swaab, D. F., Fliers, E., & Partiman, T. S.
Corresponding author
Swaab, D.F.
Venue
Brain Research
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1985-09
Volume
342
Issue
1
Pages
37-44
ISSN
0006-8993 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2089650868
Cited by
847
References
40
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 36 · 2020: 42 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 25 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 18
FWCI
16.98
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Brain Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Pure Amsterdam UMC (publishedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
Keywords
suprachiasmatic nucleus, sexual dimorphism, senile dementia of the Alzheimer type, aging, vasopressin, biological rhythms, sleep-wake cycle, ovulation cycle, neurodegeneration
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Alzheimer Disease, Arginine Vasopressin, Brain Chemistry, Child, Female, Histocytochemistry, Humans, Immunochemistry, Male, Middle Aged, Sex Factors, Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

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