Identification of Brain Regions Activated with Arousal-Induced Clock Resetting in Male and Female Mice

Abstract

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is a vital area of the brain involved in regulating circadian rhythms. Various important biological functions rely on this circadian rhythm to maintain a 24-hour cycle. Sleeping and waking, alertness, and hormone secretion are among these functions. Stimuli from the external environment, as well as input and output pathways from other areas of the brain, maintain the synchronization of these functions to their circadian clocks. Improper synchronization can result in many health issues including sleep and mood disorders. Desynchronization of circadian rhythms with the external environment can be caused by disruptions in the light-dark cycle or arousal levels. The purpose of this study is to understand the neural pathways involved in circadian rhythms by subjecting the animal to a stimulus that resets their circadian clock. In order to visual brain activity we utilized the expression of a known marker of neuronal activity, Fos protein.