The Circadian Oscillator of the Cerebral Cortex: Molecular, Biochemical and Behavioral Effects of Deleting theArntlClock Gene in Cortical Neurons

Knockout of the core clock gene Arntl in cortical neurons resulted in disrupted circadian expression profiles.

• The Arntl conditional knockout mouse exhibits disrupted circadian rhythms specifically in the cerebral cortex.
• Clock gene expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus remains rhythmic despite the knockout.
• Daily rhythms in running activity and temperature are not affected by the deletion of Arntl.
• The response to experimental jet-lag shows minor but significant differences between knockout and control mice.
• Prolonged immobility periods in the knockout mouse indicate a depressive-like behavioral state.
• Reduced norepinephrine levels in the cerebral cortex are associated with the depressive-like phenotype.

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