Brain Clocks: From the Suprachiasmatic Nuclei to a Cerebral Network

Feb 20, 2009The Neuroscientist : a review journal bringing neurobiology, neurology and psychiatry

Brain timekeeping: from the main body clock to the wider brain network

AI simplified

Abstract

Circadian timing affects almost all life's processes.

  • The master circadian clock is located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus.
  • Extra-SCN cerebral clocks and peripheral oscillators contribute to daily variations in physiology and behavior.
  • There are notable similarities and differences in the molecular mechanisms between the primary SCN clock and extra-SCN brain clocks.
  • Secondary clocks in the brain may have different sensitivities to time-giving cues and vary in their connection to the SCN.
  • Alterations in internal timing could lead to health issues due to desynchronization among the network of cerebral clocks.

AI simplified

Full Text

Full text is available at the source.

what lands in your inbox each week:

  • 📚7 fresh studies
  • 📝plain-language summaries
  • direct links to original studies
  • 🏅top journal indicators
  • 📅weekly delivery
  • 🧘‍♂️always free