Local administration of EAA antagonists blocks light-induced phase shifts and c-fos expression in hamster SCN

Syrian hamsters were fitted with guide cannulas stereotaxically aimed at the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) and housed in constant darkness in cages equipped with running wheels. Animals received 300-nl injections of either vehicle, CNQX, or MK-801 into the region of the SCN 5 min before a brief (10 min at 20 lx) light exposure. Local administration of either 1 mM CNQX or 1 mM MK-801 at circadian time (CT) 18 significantly inhibited light-induced phase advances (vehicle = 52 +/- 9 min; CNQX = 12 +/- 7 min; MK-801 = 12 +/- 5 min; P < 0.05 relative to vehicle+light group). The effects of both drugs were reversible and dose related. Injection of 1 mM MK-801 at CT13.5 resulted in a 71% inhibition of light-induced phase delays (vehicle = -51 +/- 6 min; MK-801 = -15 +/- 5 min; P < 0.05), while CNQX failed to significantly inhibit light-induced phase delays (-39 +/- 10 min). Local administration of either 1 mM CNQX or MK-801 into the SCN region reduced the number of Fos-immunoreactive cells relative to vehicle-injected controls by approximately 32 and 44%, respectively (vehicle = 951 +/- 79; CNQX = 643 +/- 135, P < 0.05; MK-801 = 533 +/- 143, P < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)