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S J Eaton

Publications and source records attributed to S J Eaton.

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Circadian rhythm photic phase shifts are not altered by histamine receptor antagonists.

Histamine may play a role in synchronizing endogenous circadian rhythms with exogenous photic cues. Direct application of histamine to the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the site of the mammalian circadian pacemaker, phase shifts the circadian rhythm in neural activity [7]. Intraventricular injections of histamine also phase shift circadian rhythms [14]. The magnitude and direction of the phase shifting effects of histamine depend on circadian phase in a manner similar to light [7,14]. Depletion of brain histamine levels by inhibition of histamine synthesis reduces phase shifts to light [10].

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Histamine synthesis inhibition reduces light-induced phase shifts of circadian rhythms.

Circadian rhythms are generated by the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei, a site of dense histaminergic innervation. Histamine can phase shift circadian rhythms in a manner similar to light. In this experiment, we administered alpha-fluoromethylhistidine (FMH), an inhibitor of histamine synthesis, prior to a light pulse in hamsters housed under constant darkness. Photic phase shifts in wheel-running rhythms were significantly attenuated by FMH pretreatment. These results suggest that histamine may modulate photic input to the circadian clock.

Animals↗