[The brain's biological clock]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2018 Sep 3;180(36):V03180212.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

Daily biological rhythms are controlled by a clock system, composed of a hierarchical multi-oscillator structure. Each cell in this system harbours a self-sustained autonomous molecular oscillator. Light adjusts the phase of the brain oscillator to the environmental light/dark cycle by intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells through their own photoreceptor, melanopsin, and by using the neuropeptide called pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide as well as glutamate as neurotransmitters. The circadian synchronisation system is critical to health, and breakdown of the 24-hour temporal order could lead to pathological conditions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biological Clocks / physiology*
  • Brain / physiology
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology*
  • Circadian Rhythm Signaling Peptides and Proteins / physiology
  • Humans
  • Photoperiod
  • Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / physiology

Substances

  • Circadian Rhythm Signaling Peptides and Proteins