Cited by 215Circadian rhythm and melatoninSleep and Wakefulness ResearchHypothalamic control of reproductive hormones

Alterations in circadian rhythmicity of the vasopressin-producing neurons of the human suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) with aging

Hofman, Michel A., Swaab, Dick F.·1994·Brain Research

Abstract

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the anterior hypothalamus is implicated in the temporal organization of circadian rhythms in a variety of physiological, endocrine and behavioral processes. There is a great deal of evidence indicating that aging is characterized by a progressive deterioration of circadian timekeeping. The present study was aimed at investigating whether there are age-related changes in circadian rhythmicity of the vasopressin (VP)-producing neurons in the human SCN. To that end brains obtained at autopsy of 39 subjects, ranging in age from 6 to 91 years, were studied. Subjects were divided into two age groups, viz. 'young subjects' (up to 50 years) and 'elderly subjects' (over 50 years). It is shown that the number of VP-immunoreactive neurons in the human SCN exhibits a marked diurnal oscillation in young, but not in elderly, people. Whereas in young subjects low VP-immunoreactive neuron numbers were found during the night period (22:00-06:00 h) and peak values during the early morning (06:00-10:00 h), the SCN of elderly people showed a reduced amplitude and a tendency for a reversed diurnal pattern with high instead of low values during the night. The findings suggest that the VP synthesis of the human SCN exhibits a circadian rhythm that is disrupted later in life.

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Crossref · 10.1016/0006-8993(94)90689-0

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Authors
Hofman, M. A., & Swaab, D. F.
Corresponding author
Hofman, Michel A.
Venue
Brain Research
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1994-07
Volume
651
Issue
1-2
Pages
134-142
ISSN
0006-8993 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2028499883
Cited by
215
References
72
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 9
FWCI
5.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Brain Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
Keywords
suprachiasmatic nucleus, vasopressin, circadian rhythm, aging, diurnal variation, circadian timekeeping, human brain, hypothalamus, age-related changes
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Child, Circadian Rhythm, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Neurons, Suprachiasmatic Nucleus, Vasopressins

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