Author(s): David Metcalfe
Journal: Impulse : an Undergraduate Journal for Neuroscience
ISSN 1934-3361
Start page: 1;
Date: 2007;
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Keywords: Circadian rhythm | sleep disorders | sleep phase syndrome | dyssomnia | jet lag syndrome
ABSTRACT
Humans exhibit behaviour and physiology controlled by a circadian clock. The circadian period is genetically determined and administered by a series of interlocked autoregulatory feedback loops largely in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus. The phase of the clock is, however, synchronised by a number of external environmental cues such as light. A failure or change in any one of the requisite clock components may result in the onset of a long-term sleep disorder. This review discusses the mechanism regulating circadian physiology in humans and explores how disturbances of this mechanism may result in sleep pathologies.
Journal: Impulse : an Undergraduate Journal for Neuroscience
ISSN 1934-3361
Start page: 1;
Date: 2007;
VIEW PDF
DOWNLOAD PDF Original pageKeywords: Circadian rhythm | sleep disorders | sleep phase syndrome | dyssomnia | jet lag syndrome
ABSTRACT
Humans exhibit behaviour and physiology controlled by a circadian clock. The circadian period is genetically determined and administered by a series of interlocked autoregulatory feedback loops largely in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus. The phase of the clock is, however, synchronised by a number of external environmental cues such as light. A failure or change in any one of the requisite clock components may result in the onset of a long-term sleep disorder. This review discusses the mechanism regulating circadian physiology in humans and explores how disturbances of this mechanism may result in sleep pathologies.
