A whole-brain single-cell atlas of circadian neural activity in mice

• Science, Volume 391, Issue 6787, February 2026.

Article Summaries:

• In February 2026, researchers published a comprehensive single‑cell atlas of circadian neural activity across the entire mouse brain. Using high‑throughput single‑cell RNA sequencing combined with time‑resolved imaging, the study mapped the molecular signatures of circadian rhythms in thousands of individual neurons and glia. The atlas identifies distinct cell‑type-specific oscillatory patterns, reveals previously unrecognized circadian circuits, and links core clock genes to region‑specific functional outputs. This resource provides a foundational framework for dissecting how circadian timing is integrated throughout the brain and may inform future investigations into sleep, metabolism, and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Sources:

• https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.aea3381?af=R