Serotonergic Phase Shifts of the Mammalian Circadian clock: Effects of Tetrodotoxin and High Mg²⁺

Authors

Rebecca Prosser, University of Tennessee - Knoxville
H. Craig Heller, Stanford University
Joseph D. Miller, Stanford University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1992

Abstract

The mammalian circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) can be phase-shifted in vitro by the serotonin agonist quipazine. Here we show that quipazine resets the SCN clock in the presence of tetrodotoxin or 10 mM Mg²⁺, treatments that block Na⁺ action potentials and Ca²⁺ channels, respectively. These results support the hypothesis that quipazine resets the clock by stimulating receptors located on clock elements rather than on cells afferent to the clock.

Recommended Citation

Rebecca A. Prosser, H. Craig Heller, Joseph D. Miller, Serotonergic phase shifts of the mammalian circadian clock: effects of tetrodotoxin and high Mg2+, Brain Research, Volume 573, Issue 2, 28 February 1992, Pages 336-340, ISSN 0006-8993, DOI: 10.1016/0006-8993(92)90784-7. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6SYR-484DFN0-1NY/2/c68d741e27d12eabe7b9a4873515119d)