Circadian organization in the aged rodent

描述（由申请人提供）：昼夜节律计时系统受老化影响。然而，老化影响这些系统的机制尚未被描述。具体而言，尚未研究外周振荡器的控制以及器官功能的昼夜节律组织如何受到衰老的影响。通过使用在体内电生理记录，在体外基因表达的动态记录的新技术，和神经元移植，我打算调查的机制，其中昼夜节律系统的大鼠在老年受到影响，以及这些变化是如何表现自己的行为和生理，以及在大鼠的能力，以适应时间环境的变化。 具体目标1。我将测试的假设，老化导致的生理和周边振荡器的SCN的时间控制故障。 具体目标2。我将测试的假设，年龄相关的稳态时间组织和相位重置的变化轨迹是SCN。 除了更好地了解大脑中的中央昼夜节律起搏器如何控制行为和生理外，这些实验还应该帮助我们更好地了解慢性轮班工人常见的健康问题以及昼夜节律在急性心血管疾病中的作用等问题的衰老成分。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Circadian timing systems are affected by aging. However the mechanism by which aging affects these systems has not been described. Specifically, how the control of peripheral oscillators, and thereby circadian organization of organ function is affected by aging has not been investigated. By using in vivo electrophysiological recording, new techniques in dynamic recording of gene expression in vitro, and neuronal transplants, I intend to investigate mechanisms by which the circadian system of the rat is affected in advanced age, and how these changes manifest themselves in behavior and physiology, and in the rats capacity to adapt to changes in the temporal environment. Specific Aim 1. I will test the hypothesis that aging leads to a breakdown of the temporal control of physiology and peripheral oscillators by the SCN. Specific Aim 2. I will test the hypothesis that the locus of age-related changes in steady-state temporal organization and phase resetting is the SCN. In addition to gaining a better understanding of how the central circadian pacemaker in the brain controls behavior and physiology, these experiments should help us to better understand the aging components of such issues as the health problems common in chronic shift workers and the role of circadian rhythms in acute cardiovascular disease.