TY - JOUR
T1 - Age-related changes in circadian responses to dark pulses
AU - Duncan, Marilyn J.
AU - Deveraux, Anthony W.
PY - 2000
Y1 - 2000
N2 - Aging involves many alterations in circadian rhythms, including a loss of sensitivity to both photic and nonphotic time signals. This study investigated the sensitivity of young and old hamsters to the phase advancing effect of a 6-h dark pulse on the locomotor activity rhythm. Each hamster was tested four times during a period of ~9 mo; periods of exposure to a 14-h photoperiod were alternated with the periods of exposure to constant light (20-80 lx), during which the dark pulses were administered. There was no significant difference in the phase shifts exhibited by the young (4-10 mo) and old hamsters (19-25 mo) or in the amount of wheel running activity displayed during each dark pulse. However, young hamsters had a significantly greater propensity to exhibit split rhythms immediately after the dark pulses. These results suggest that, although aging does not reduce the sensitivity of the circadian pacemaker to this nonphotic signal, it alters one property of the pacemaker, i.e., the flexibility of the coupling of its component oscillators.
AB - Aging involves many alterations in circadian rhythms, including a loss of sensitivity to both photic and nonphotic time signals. This study investigated the sensitivity of young and old hamsters to the phase advancing effect of a 6-h dark pulse on the locomotor activity rhythm. Each hamster was tested four times during a period of ~9 mo; periods of exposure to a 14-h photoperiod were alternated with the periods of exposure to constant light (20-80 lx), during which the dark pulses were administered. There was no significant difference in the phase shifts exhibited by the young (4-10 mo) and old hamsters (19-25 mo) or in the amount of wheel running activity displayed during each dark pulse. However, young hamsters had a significantly greater propensity to exhibit split rhythms immediately after the dark pulses. These results suggest that, although aging does not reduce the sensitivity of the circadian pacemaker to this nonphotic signal, it alters one property of the pacemaker, i.e., the flexibility of the coupling of its component oscillators.
KW - Circadian rhythms
KW - Hamsters
KW - Locomotor rhythms
KW - Splitting
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U2 - 10.1152/ajpregu.2000.279.2.r586
DO - 10.1152/ajpregu.2000.279.2.r586
M3 - Article
C2 - 10938249
AN - SCOPUS:0033859905
SN - 0363-6119
VL - 279
SP - R586-R590
JO - American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology
JF - American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology
IS - 2 48-2
ER -