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Comment
. 2006 Aug;9(8):985-6.
doi: 10.1038/nn0806-985.

BK channels and circadian output

Christopher S Colwell
Comment

BK channels and circadian output

Christopher S Colwell. Nat Neurosci. 2006 Aug.

Abstract

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) controls circadian behavior, and neurons in the SCN are intrinsic oscillators. Meredith et al. now identify the BK potassium channel as a key modulator of spontaneous firing of the SCN.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Working model of the bimodal state of SCN neurons. The dSCN neurons exist in two stable electrical configurations. During the upstate (day), the cells show spontaneous activity; during the downstate (night), the cells are silent. A set of currents are responsible for each of these two states. At night, the SCN neurons are hyperpolarized due to a net increase in potassium conductance. The BK current may be responsible for this nightly silencing of SCN neurons.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment on

References

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