[Age-related change of synaptic number in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the rat hypothalamus].

Numerical changes of the synapses in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of rats at different ages were investigated with electron microscope, The population of the major SCN synapses formed with dendrite and total number of synapses were found to be reduced with advancing age. Compared with the young animal group, the synaptic number was statistically different from that in the adult or senescent group. As a result of these changes, the function of SCN might decline with aging.