A hypothalamic circuit for circadian regulation of corticosterone secretion

Apr 7, 2026Nature communications

A brain circuit controlling daily rhythms of stress hormone release

AI simplified

Abstract

In male mice, the daily surge of corticosteroid secretion is regulated by a neural circuit involving the suprachiasmatic nucleus and the dorsomedial hypothalamus.

  • Corticosteroid secretion exhibits a strong circadian rhythm, starting several hours before the active period.
  • Input from the suprachiasmatic nucleus to the subparaventricular zone is crucial for this rhythm.
  • Both glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons in the dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus are necessary for the corticosteroid surge.
  • Glutamatergic neurons directly stimulate corticotrophin-releasing hormone neurons in the paraventricular nucleus.
  • GABAergic neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus disinhibit these corticotrophin-releasing hormone neurons through another set of GABAergic neurons.

AI simplified

Full Text

Full text is available at the source.

what lands in your inbox each week:

  • 📚7 fresh studies
  • 📝plain-language summaries
  • direct links to original studies
  • 🏅top journal indicators
  • 📅weekly delivery
  • 🧘‍♂️always free