Topic: AVP neurons

In mammals, circadian rhythms are controlled by the central clock, suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) in the hypothalamus. The external light signal could entrain SCN through intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), a type of neuron in the retinal of mammalian eyes, by releasing glutamate. The innervation of ipRGCs to SCN has been revealed by using genetic tracing techniques and contributes to the synchronization of the circadian rhythm. SCN is a heterogenous structure that contains different neurons, while AVP and VIP neurons are critical for the networking of circadian rhythm.