Diminished circadian rhythm of locomotor activity after vagotomy in rats

Abstract

Circadian rhythm of spontaneous locomotor activity, which is normally highly elevated during the dark phase of a day, diminished after ablation of the vagal nerves in rats with intact suprachiasmatic nuclei under light-dark cyclic conditions. This suggests that gastrointestinal activity affects the circadian rhythm of locomotor activity through the afferent pathway of the vagus. © 1981, PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN. All rights reserved.