Therapeutic Implications of Circadian Rhythms

ISBN-10: 2889196658
ISBN-13: 9782889196654
Category: Circadian rhythms
Language: English
Published: 2015-10-12
Authors: Han Wang, Guangrui Yang, Erquan Zhang

Description

Circadian rhythms are biological processes displaying endogenous and entrainable oscillations of about 24 hours. They are driven by a group of genes called clock genes that have been widely observed in plants, animals and even in bacteria. In mammals, the core clock genes are rhythmically expressed in both the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the master clock residing in the hypothalamus, and almost all peripheral tissues where they control numerous target genes in a circadian manner, and thus affect many physiological and biochemical processes. Evidence suggests that disruption of the circadian rhythms (or desynchronization) is a significant risk factor for the development of metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and sleep disorders. Evidence also suggests that the disruption suppresses immune function and increases vulnerability to infectious diseases. Restoring or strengthening the circadian rhythm may be therapeutic for these conditions. This becomes exceptionally important in modern societies because many people are suffering from frequent desynchronization due to shift working, exposure to artificial light, travel by transmeridian air flight, and involvement in social activities. Besides, the temporal variations in the incidence and severity of many diseases, such as the onset of cardiovascular events, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), inflammatory diseases and mental disorders have also drawn increasing attention to the circadian clock. The circadian rhythms affect not only the health status, but also the drug efficiency. The effects (and side effects) of many drugs vary with biological timing. The tolerance of many medications displays circadian variation as well. The timing of medical treatment in coordination with the body clock may significantly increase the desired effects of drugs, and lower the dose and toxicity. In addition, circadian rhythms can also be modulated by some therapeutic drugs, for example, melatonin and modafinil, which are used to treat circadian rhythm sleep disorders. In this Research Topic, we assemble a series of critical review and research articles that focus on the therapeutic implications of circadian rhythms. Topics include, but are not limited to: • Circadian disruption caused diseases or disorders and related intervention • Temporal manifestation of diseases or disorders and therapeutic implications • The effects of circadian rhythms on drugs • The effects of drugs on circadian rhythms

Get the book

Similar books

Chronotherapeutics
By P. H. Redfern
The book presents a comprehensive discussion of specific diseases that are time dependent, and the drugs and new drug formulations that can be used as treatments.Written by leading international experts in the field, Chronotherapeutics ...
Circadian Rhythms and Their Impact on Aging
By S. Michal Jazwinski, Victoria P Belancio, Steven M Hill
The results of this are accelerated loss of health during aging, and in experimental model systems curtailed lifespan occurs. This book will examine the machinery that constitutes circadian systems and how they impact physiologic processes.
Science of Circadian Rhythms, An Issue of Sleep Medicine Clinics, E-Book
By Phyllis C. Zee
Dr. Phyllis Zee has put together an expert panel of authors on the topic of the Science of Circadian Rhythms.
Disorders of Circadian Rhythms
By Arturo Ortega, Mario Caba, Pevet Paul
Frontiers Research Topics are very popular trademarks of the Frontiers Journals Series: they are collections of at least ten articles, all centered on a particular subject.
Advances in the Psychobiology of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms
By Melinda L. Jackson, Sean P.A Drummond
This volume will be a crucial resource for professionals, practitioners and researchers engaged in the field as well as for postgraduate and upper-level undergraduate students undertaking research in areas related to psychobiology, ...
Chronotherapeutics for Affective Disorders: A Clinician's Manual for Light and Wake Therapy, 2nd, revised edition
By Anna Wirz-Justice, Francesco Benedetti, Michael Terman
100 Martiny K, Refsgaard E, Lund V, Lunde M, Sorensen L, Thougaard B, Lindberg L, Bech P: A 9-week randomized trial ... 105 Fischer R, Kasper S, Pjrek E, Winkler D: On the application oflight therapy in German—speaking countries.
Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders: An Evidence-Based Guide for Clinicians and Investigators
By R. Robert Auger
This book resolves to bridge the communication gap between research and clinical practice for circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders.
Melatonin: Therapeutic Value and Neuroprotection
By Venkatramanujan Srinivasan, Gabriella Gobbi, Samuel D. Shillcutt
Opening new vistas in our understanding of etiology, pharmacotherapy, and treatment, the book is a significant milestone in our knowledge about advances in melatonin’s physiology and its therapeutic application in a number of disorders.
Circadian Clock in Brain Health and Disease
By Olivia Engmann, Marco Brancaccio
In this book, leading experts in the field review how circadian rhythms impact the brain. An essential function of mammalian life is the exploitation of the regularities provided by the 24-hour cycle of day and night.
Circadian Rhythm Disorders , An Issue of Neurologic Clinics
By Phyllis C. Zee
This issue of Neurologic Clinics, guest edited by Dr. Phyllis C. Zee, with consulting editor Randolph W. Evans, will focus on Circadian Rhythm Disorders.