VASOPRESSIN, CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS, AND REPRODUCTIVE AGING

这项研究的主要目的是更好地了解 大脑老化的机制这些实验将检查神经 作为模型系统的衰老雌性大鼠的生殖控制。 该模型为研究大脑功能提供了独特的优势 因为生殖系统的变化 在生命的早期，在没有混淆年龄的情况下发生， 相关的病理。这项研究将具体确定， 与年龄相关的生殖周期变化是由 神经和内分泌节律的去周期化， 昼夜节律计时系统许多与年龄有关的疾病，包括 睡眠-觉醒障碍和抑郁症与此有关 神经系统这些实验将导致新的和重要的 关于昼夜节律计时系统本身的信息，并且将 有助于为可能的治疗干预提供基础， 涉及ciradian定时系统的疾病。

The primary goal of the proposed research is to better understand mechanisms of brain aging. These experiments will examine the neural control of reproduction in the aging female rat as a model system. This model provides unique advantages for studying brain function during aging because the changes in the reproductive system occur early in the life-span, and occur in the absence of confounding age- related pathologies. This research will determine specifically if age-related changes in reproductive cyclicity result from a desynchronization of neural and endocrine rhythms which are driven by the circadian timing system. Many age-related pathologies including sleep-wake disturbances and depression have been linked to this neural system. These experiments will lead to new and significant information regarding the circadian timing system itself, and will help provide a foundation for possible therapeutic intervention of disorders involving the ciradian timing system.