Fig. 4.

Circadian phenotype in Thy1-aSyn mice (3 mo) compared to middle aged WT mice (12 mo). In our laboratory, we measured the circadian phenotype of WT mice at 12 mo of age (Nakamura et al., 2011). We found significant reduction in activity output, including reduced amplitude, coherence and precision of wheel running activity rhythms. Physiological outputs of heart rate and body temperature are also reduced at this age. Finally, we found that the amplitude of SCN neural activity rhythms but not PER2 expression was reduced at middle age. The phenotype of the Thy1-aSyn mice at 3 mo of age is similar to that seen in a middle aged WT mouse. To date, we have not yet examined the physiological rhythms in the Thy1-aSyn mice.