Objective
Most of living organisms respond to daily changes in photoperiod by rhythmic adaptative alterations in physiological and behavioral states. In mammals, the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus contain the neural clock for the generation and maintenance of circadian rhythms. Input to the SCN pacemaker is provided by direct and indirect retinal projections, and by a dense serotoninergic innervation from the raphe nuclei. It is well known that the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) is a major participant in the regulation of the SCN activity either by influencing the endogenous clock or by modulating the retinal input. Many of the factors involved in the SCN 5-HT metabolism (content, synthesis activity, uptake) display circadian variation, pointing to a time dependent functional interaction between the pacemaker system and serotoninergic activity. The most important parameter regulating 5-HT function is the release of the amine. However, data concerning the circadian fluctuation in SCN 5-HT release are still lacking. For this reason, the first major objetive of this project is to define the diurnal fluctuation of 5-HT release in the SCN and its dependence on photoperiod by using in vivo microdialysis techniques.
Besides the light, several neurohumoral factors may influence the SCN pacemaker activity. One of them is the hormone melatonin, which is synthesized in the pineal gland during the darkenss in response to the SCN activity. Melatonin interacts with specific receptors located in the SCN and it is able to alter circadian rhythmicity. The mechanism mediating melatonin action on SCN is unknown, although an interaction with the serotoninergic system has been repeteadly proposed. With this basis, the second major objective of this proposal to study the role of the pineal gland and its hormone, melatonin, on the rhythm of 5-HT release in the SCN in vivo.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology mammalogy
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry amines
You need to log in or register to use this function
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
15706 Santiago de Compostela
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.