Alterations in glutamatergic signalling contribute to the decline of circadian photoentrainment in aged mice.

Robust physiological circadian rhythms form an integral part of wellbeing. The aging process has been found to negatively impact systems that drive circadian physiology, typically manifesting as symptoms associated with abnormal/ disrupted sleeping patterns. Here, we investigated the age-related decline in light-driven circadian entrainment in male C57BL/6J mice. We compared light-driven resetting of circadian behavioural activity in young (1-2 months) and old (14-18 months) mice and explored alterations in the glutamatergic pathway at the level of the circadian pacemaker, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN).
Source: Neurobiology of Aging - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Source Type: research