| Budget Amount *help |
¥17,680,000 (Direct Cost: ¥13,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥4,080,000)
Fiscal Year 2018: ¥4,420,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,020,000)
Fiscal Year 2017: ¥4,420,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,020,000)
Fiscal Year 2016: ¥8,840,000 (Direct Cost: ¥6,800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥2,040,000)
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| Outline of Final Research Achievements |
In this study, we aimed to understand the neural mechanisms underlying the generation of robust and stable circadian rhythms by the central circadian pacemaker of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), utilizing genetically-modified mice which we have developed.
We found that vasopressin-producing neurons, one of major neuron types in the SCN, play a critical role in the generation of circadian rhythms and the determination of circadian period by the SCN neural network. In addition, we analyzed the electrophysiological characteristics of vasopressin neurons and other types of neurons in the SCN. Before this study, vasopressin neurons had been considered to be dispensable for the generation per se of circadian rhythms by the SCN network. Thus, our findings reversed the conventional views about the role of vasopressin neurons in the central circadian pacemaker.
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