The central circadian clock of the suprachiasmatic nucleus as an ensemble of multiple oscillatory neurons

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) functions as the central circadian pacemaker in mammals, coordinating physiological events over a 24-hour cycle.

• Circadian rhythms are 24-hour cycles that regulate various physiological processes in the body.
• The SCN is composed of different types of GABAergic neurons and glial cells that work together to maintain circadian rhythms.
• Individual SCN neurons can oscillate independently, but their communication is crucial for synchronized circadian timing.
• The specific mechanisms of how the SCN network operates are not yet fully understood.
• Recent studies are exploring the roles of various neuropeptides and the neurons that express them in the SCN network.

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