Linking neural activity and molecular oscillations in the SCN
Open accessAbstract
Neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) function as part of a central timing circuit that drives daily changes in our behaviour and underlying physiology. A hallmark feature of SCN neuronal populations is that they are mostly electrically silent during the night, start to fire action potentials near dawn and then continue to generate action potentials with a slow and steady pace all day long. Sets of currents are responsible for this daily rhythm, with the strongest evidence for persistent Na(+) currents, L-type Ca(2+) currents, hyperpolarization-activated currents (I(H)), large-conductance Ca(2+) activated K(+) (BK) currents and fast delayed rectifier (FDR) K(+) currents. These rhythms in electrical activity are crucial for the function of the circadian timing system, including the expression of clock genes, and decline with ageing and disease. This article reviews our current understanding of the ionic and molecular mechanisms that drive the rhythmic firing patterns in the SCN.
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The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus serves as the master pacemaker that sets the timing of rhythms by regulating neuronal activity, body temperature and hormonal signals.
“The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus serves as the master pacemaker that sets the timing of rhythms by regulating neuronal activity, body temperature and hormonal signals2 (FIG. 1).”
From Rhythms of life: circadian disruption and brain disorders across the lifespan (2019) · cites this paper as [2]
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References 235 · Cited by 474
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- [148]Berson DM Dunn FA Takao M Phototransduction by retinal ganglion cells that set the circadian clock Science 295 1070 1073 2002 11834835
- Authors
- Colwell, C. S.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Los Angeles (US)
- Corresponding author
- Colwell, Christopher S.
- Venue
- Nature Reviews Neuroscience
- Published
- 2011-09-02
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 553-569
- ISSN
- 1471-003X (ISSN-L)
- 1471-0048
- PMC
- PMC4356239
- OpenAlex
- W1997718482
- Cited by
- 474
- References
- 235
- Citations by year
- 2026: 27 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 34 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 37 · 2021: 39 · 2020: 42 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 37 · 2017: 36 · 2016: 32 · 2015: 32 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 28
- FWCI
- 2.60
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Nature reviews. Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01NS043169)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Ion channel regulation and function
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias
- Keywords
- suprachiasmatic nucleus, circadian rhythm, neuronal firing patterns, molecular clock, ion channels, persistent sodium current, L-type calcium current, hyperpolarization-activated current, clock gene expression, circadian system
- MeSH terms
- Action Potentials, Animals, Biological Clocks, Circadian Rhythm, Humans, Membrane Potentials, Neurons, Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
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