Figure 3. Core clock genes in the brain regulate neurodegeneration.

A. Schematic depicting the core circadian clock. Bmal1 drives transcription of a wide array of clock-controlled genes, which regulate key processes involved in neurodegeneration. The circadian transcriptome could vary between neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. B. Disruption of the cellular clock in the brain with sparing of SCN function, achieved in Nestin-Cre;Bmal1flox/flox mice, causes severe reactive astrogliosis in cerebral cortex (as assessed by GFAP staining), and promotes oxidative stress and neuronal injury.