Phase-shifting effects of a serotonin agonist in tau mutant hamsters

Previous studies indicate that the advance region of the tau mutant hamster's phase-response curve (PRC) to non-photic stimuli, such as NPY and wheel pulses, is characterized by earlier timing and increased amplitude in comparison with that of wild-type animals. Since, recent evidence suggests that serotonergic pathways may play an important role for the non-photic phase resetting of the rodent circadian pacemaker, PRCs to the serotonin (5-HT) agonist, 8-OH-DPAT (5 mg/kg i.p), were generated in both wild-type and tau mutant hamsters kept in constant darkness. The results indicate that the tau mutation is associated with changes in the timing, but not the amplitude of the advance region of the PRC to 8-OH-DPAT and suggest that serotonergic agents and other non-photic or activity-inducing stimuli may share some common mechanisms for resetting the phase of the rodent circadian pacemaker.