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Effects of Circadian Disruption on Mental and Physical Health

Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports volume 12, pages 218–225 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Circadian (daily) rhythms in physiology and behavior are phylogenetically ancient and are present in almost all plants and animals. In mammals, these rhythms are generated by a master circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus, which in turn synchronizes “peripheral oscillators” throughout the brain and body in almost all cell types and organ systems. Although circadian rhythms are phylogenetically ancient, modern industrialized society and the ubiquity of electric lighting has resulted in a fundamental alteration in the relationship between an individual’s endogenous circadian rhythmicity and the external environment. The ramifications of this desynchronization for mental and physical health are not fully understood, although numerous lines of evidence are emerging that link defects in circadian timing with negative health outcomes. This article explores the function of the circadian system, the effects of disrupted clocks on the brain and body, and how these effects impact mental and physical health.

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Disclosure

Conflicts of interest: I.N. Karatsoreos: has received grant support from the Canadian Institute of Health Research.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology, and Physiology, Washington State University, 205 Wegner Hall, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA

    Ilia N. Karatsoreos

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  1. Ilia N. Karatsoreos
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Correspondence to Ilia N. Karatsoreos.

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Karatsoreos, I.N. Effects of Circadian Disruption on Mental and Physical Health. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 12, 218–225 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-012-0252-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-012-0252-0

Keywords

  • Biological rhythms
  • Sleep
  • Aging
  • Obesity
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Plasticity
  • Prefrontal
  • Hippocampus
  • Learning
  • Depression
  • Circadian disruption