How Brain Cells Connect to Control Our Daily Rhythms
Functional Connectivity in the Circadian Clock
This project explores how brain cells in a special area called the SCN work together to manage our daily body clock and adjust to different seasons.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11127522 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project aims to understand how the brain's internal clock, located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), adapts to changes in day and night length, like those between summer and winter. Researchers will study how individual cells within the SCN connect and communicate with each other. They will use advanced techniques to observe changes in gene activity and calcium levels in these cells as they adjust to different light cycles. The goal is to discover how these cell connections change to keep our daily rhythms on track.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation at this stage, but future studies building on this knowledge might seek individuals with circadian rhythm disorders.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention will not find a direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us better understand and potentially address sleep disorders, seasonal affective disorder, and other health issues related to disrupted daily rhythms.
How similar studies have performed: While the general concept of circadian rhythms is well-established, this specific approach to mapping cell-cell connectivity changes in the SCN in response to seasonal light changes is novel.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Herzog, Erik — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Herzog, Erik
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.