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Science 26 January 1979:
Vol. 203. no. 4378, pp. 358 - 361
DOI: 10.1126/science.32619
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Articles

Science, Vol 203, Issue 4378, 358-361
Copyright © 1979 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

Intraventricular carbachol mimics the effects of light on the circadian rhythm in the rat pineal gland

M Zatz and MJ Brownstein

Environmental lighting regulates numerous circadian rhythms, including the cycle in pineal serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity. Brief exposure of rats to light can shift the phase of this enzyme's circadian rhythm. Light also rapidly reduces nocturnal enzyme activity. Intraventricular injections of carbachol, a cholinergic agonist, can mimic both of these effects. Light and carbachol presumably act on the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus. These experiments demonstrate the feasibility of using a neuropharmacologic approach to the mechanisms underlying mammalian circadian rhythms.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Melatonin Suppression by Light in Euthymic Bipolar and Unipolar Patients.
J. I. Nurnberger Jr, S. Adkins, D. K. Lahiri, A. Mayeda, K. Hu, A. Lewy, A. Miller, E. S. Bowman, M. J. Miller, N. L. Rau, et al. (2000)
Arch Gen Psychiatry 57, 572-579
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Coupling of Muscarinic Cholinergic Receptors and cGMP in Nocturnal Regulation of the Suprachiasmatic Circadian Clock.
C. Liu, J. M. Ding, L. E. Faiman, and M. U. Gillette (1997)
J. Neurosci. 17, 659-666
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Chronic Clorgyline Treatment of Syrian Hamsters: An Analysis of Effects on the Circadian Pacemaker.
W. C. Duncan, L. Tamarkin, P. G. Sokolove, and T. A. Wehr (1988)
J Biol Rhythms 3, 305-322
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The Effects of Intraventricular Carbachol Injections on the Free-Running Activity Rhythm of the Hamster.
J. H. Meijer, E. van der Zee, and M. Dietz (1988)
J Biol Rhythms 3, 333-348
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The psychopharmacology of the human pineal.
S.A. Checkley and S.B.G. Park (1987)
J Psychopharmacol 1, 109-125
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Avian pancreatic polypeptide phase shifts hamster circadian rhythms when microinjected into the suprachiasmatic region.
H. Albers, C. Ferris, S. Leeman, and B. Goldman (1984)
Science 223, 833-835
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Role for acetylcholine in mediating effects of light on reproduction.
D. Earnest and F. Turek (1983)
Science 219, 77-79
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Regulation of circadian rhythmicity.
J. Takahashi and M Zatz (1982)
Science 217, 1104-1111
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Suprachiasmatic stimulation phase shifts rodent circadian rhythms.
B Rusak and G Groos (1982)
Science 215, 1407-1409
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Photoperiodic control and effects of melatonin on nonshivering thermogenesis and brown adipose tissue.
G Heldmaier, S Steinlechner, J Rafael, and P Vsiansky (1981)
Science 212, 917-919
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