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Neuroanatomical Organization and Connections of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

  • Conference paper
Vertebrate Circadian Systems

Part of the book series: Proceedings in Life Sciences ((LIFE SCIENCES))

Abstract

The mammalian suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) consists of a cluster of small round peri-karya lying bilaterally adjacent to the third ventricle just dorsal to the optic chiasm (Christ 1969, Diepen 1962). The SCN appears to be one of the basic structures involved in generating biological rhythms; it receives a direct input from the retina (Hendrickson et al. 1972, Moore and Lenn 1972), and destruction of the SCN disrupts a variety of cir-cadian rhythms (Moore and Eichler 1972, Stephan and Zucker 1972, van den Pol and Powley 1979). In this chapter, the neuroanatomical organization and afferent and efferent connections of the SCN will be reviewed, giving particular attention to aspects possibly related to SCN control of circadian rhythms. Most of the information currently available is derived from studies conducted in rodents; however, where possible, comparative studies will be considered.

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Author notes

  1. M. V. Sofroniew

    Present address: University Department of Human Anatomy, South Parks Road, Oxford, 0X1 3QX, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich and Department of Neurology, Technical University, Munich, Germany

    A. Weindl

Authors
  1. M. V. Sofroniew
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  2. A. Weindl
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Verhaltensphysiologie, D-8138, Andechs, Germany

    Jürgen Aschoff

  2. Zoologisch Laboratorium, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Kerklaan 30, NL-Haren, The Netherlands

    Serge Daan

  3. National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20205, USA

    Gerard A. Groos

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© 1982 Springer-Verlag Berlin · Heidelberg

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Sofroniew, M.V., Weindl, A. (1982). Neuroanatomical Organization and Connections of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus. In: Aschoff, J., Daan, S., Groos, G.A. (eds) Vertebrate Circadian Systems. Proceedings in Life Sciences. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-68651-1_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-68651-1_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-68653-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-68651-1

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