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The NMDA antagonist MK-801 blocks light effect on melatonin receptor density in rat suprachiasmatic nuclei
F Gauer1, M Masson-Pévet, P Pévet
1Neurobiologie des Fonctions Rythmiques et Saisonnières', URA-CNRS 1332, Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France.
Neuroscience Letters
|April 25, 1994
Abstract:
In pinealectomized rats, melatonin receptor density in the suprachiasmatic nuclei was recently shown to be strongly decreased during the dark period. Furthermore, a one-hour long light pulse is able to reverse this dark-induced decrease. We demonstrate here that this effect of a light-pulse during night time is blocked by prior application of the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801. These results show that the light effect on melatonin receptor density in the SCN is mediated by activation of NMDA-type receptors.