Behavioral and Neurophysiological Effects of Circadian Pacemaker (SCN) Deletion in a Wild Population of Rodents

LAY ABSTRACT提案编号：IBN-9817096 PI名称：Patricia J. DeCourseyBehavioral and Neurophysiological Effects of Circadian Pacemaker（SCN）Deletion in a Wild Population of Rodents.该研究将检查神经起搏器的重要性，视交叉上核（SCN），它调节所有哺乳动物的昼夜（日常）行为和生理功能。这项研究将在3年的时间里跟踪一个偏远的喀斯喀特山区自由生活的地松鼠种群的生存和行为。部分种群将保持神经系统完整作为对照动物，其余种群通过手术删除昼夜节律计时系统进行修改。将监测死亡率、繁殖成功率、冬眠性能和神经内分泌模式。每只研究动物都将佩戴一个唯一编码的无线电项圈，以便于无线电跟踪和冬季无线电数据记录。昼夜节律起搏器已被证明在包括人类在内的动物的许多重要的日常节律中起着至关重要的作用，例如睡眠/觉醒周期、效率周期、生殖时间、温度调节、体内激素水平或对药物的反应。尽管昼夜节律起搏器在哺乳动物中具有重要意义，但先前的研究主要使用驯化的小型夜间啮齿动物，如小鼠，大鼠和仓鼠。研究项目几乎完全是在实验室里进行的，在完全隐蔽、无压力、通常无菌的条件下进行。因此，很少有证据表明野生物种生活在真正的自然条件下，在正常的生态位。新的“生态脑研究”信息应有助于解决一系列问题，从优化受威胁/濒危野生物种的生存到改善人类的健康和福利。

LAY ABSTRACTProposal #: IBN-9817096PI Name: Patricia J. DeCourseyBehavioral and Neurophysiological Effects of Circadian Pacemaker (SCN) Deletion in a Wild Population of Rodents.The research will examine the importance of the neural pacemaker, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which regulates circadian (daily) behavioral and physiological functions in all mammals. The study will follow survival and behavior of a population of free-living ground squirrels at a remote Cascade mountain site over a 3-year period. Part of the population will be left neurologically intact as control animals, and the remainder of the population modified by surgical deletion of the circadian timing system. Mortality, reproductive success, hibernation performance, and neuroendocrine patterns will be monitored. A uniquely coded radio collar will be attached to each study animal to facilitate radio tracking and wintertime radio data-logging.Circadian pacemakers have been shown to play a vital role in many important daily rhythms of animals including humans, such as sleep/wake cycles, efficiency cycles, timing of reproduction, temperature regulation, levels of hormones in the body, or response to medications. In spite of the great significance of circadian pacemakers in mammals, prior studies have used chiefly domesticated small nocturnal rodents such as mice, rats, and hamsters. Research projects have beencarried out almost exclusively in the laboratory under completely sheltered, stress-free, often sterile conditions. As a result, very little evidence is available for wild species living under truly natural conditions in normal ecological niches. The new "ecological brain research" information accrued should aid in problem solving for a range of questions from optimizing survival of threatened/endangered wild species to improving health and welfare of humans.