Circadian rhythm disruption and mental health

Circadian rhythms are internal manifestations of the solar day that permit adaptations to predictable environmental temporal changes. These ~24-h rhythms are controlled by molecular clockworks within the brain that are reset daily to precisely 24 h by exposure to the light-dark cycle. Information from the master clock in the mammalian hypothalamus conveys temporal information to the entire body via humoral and neural communication. A bidirectional relationship exists between mood disorders and circadian rhythms. Mood disorders are often associated with disrupted circadian clock-controlled responses, such as sleep and cortisol secretion, whereas disruption of circadian rhythms via jet lag, night-shift work, or…

• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: R01NS092388, 5U54GM104942, 5U54GM104942-03
• NI
  National Institute of General Medical Sciences

  Awards: 5U54GM104942-03, 5U54GM104942
• NI
  National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

  Award: R01NS092388