# Regulation of central circadian rhythms by dopamine

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · 2020 · $54,470

## Abstract

Abstract: Our circadian clocks have evolved to synchronize behavioral and physiological activities to a specific
time of the day in order to optimize survival. Although Darwinian pressures have declined for humans, many of
the emergent stresses of modern society burdens our ancient circuitry governing circadian synchrony. As such,
new pathologies are emerging including mental, cardiovascular, metabolic disorders and cancer. The
synchronization process of biological rhythms, termed entrainment, requires environmental cues (zeitgebers)
that are able to reset the molecular clock machinery. For mammals, the most dominant daily zeitgeber is light.
During photoentrainment, the ambient light levels that are detected by photoreceptors are conveyed to the
central circadian clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus to permit synchrony
to day/night cycles. However, other cues such as availability of food, social interactions or physical exercise also
influence the phase of the SCN. Many of these cues also increase dopamine (DA) neurotransmission. We
hypothesize that increased DA signaling in the SCN allows the central oscillator to enter a more “entrainment
susceptible” state where new cues are able to adjust the circadian clock more readily. In the parent grant, we
proposed to delineate this circuit and, thus far, have made significant advances during the funding period. With
the proposed supplement grant application, we are seeking to purchase a fiber photometry system which will
allow us to determine whether reward signaling midbrain dopaminergic neurons increase the period and reduce
the amplitude of the SCN molecular and neuronal activity rhythms. The proposed experiments will demonstrate
how entrainment cues are integrated in the SCN in vivo.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10135264
- **Project number:** 3R01GM121937-04S2
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Ali Guler
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $54,470
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2016-09-01 → 2021-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10135264

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10135264, Regulation of central circadian rhythms by dopamine (3R01GM121937-04S2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10135264. Licensed CC0.

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