Abstract
In vitro autoradiography was used to quantify [125I]melatonin binding in young rats and in aged rats that were screened for diurnal drinking prior to neurobiological study. Among the aged subjects studied, some rats exhibited a blunted diurnal rhythm in that a decreased percentage of water was consumed during the dark phase. Other aged animals maintained a strong nocturnal pattern of water intake similar to young rats. The density of [125I]melatonin binding in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus was significantly correlated with diurnal drinking, i.e. lower binding was associated with a more blunted rhythm. Thus, [125I]melatonin binding in the SCN may provide a marker for age-related decline in some aspects of biological functions.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 149-152 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Neuroscience Letters |
Volume | 154 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 14 1993 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Aging
- Autoradiography
- Circadian
- Diurnal rhythm
- Drinking
- Suprachiasmatic nucleus
- Water intake
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)