[Fundamentals of chronobiology: nyctohemeral rhythms]. 2004

L Bourdon, and A Buguet
Département des facteurs humains, Centre de recherches du service de santé des armées Emile Pardé, BP 87, 38702 La Tronche Cedex, France. lionelbourdon@crssa.net

Most biological activities fluctuate throughout the day and contribute to a better adaptation to the organism's daily activity. During the last 30 Years, chronobiology has aimed at studying these biological rhythms, explaining most of the biological mechanisms of i) the endogenous circadian rhythmicity, ii) the neurophysiological mechanisms of the photic system that allows its external resetting, and iii) the neuroendocrine mechanisms of internal rhythm synchronization. Moreover, the description of specific biological rhythm disorders and rhythm problems at the cellular and even the molecular level have prompted the emerging fields of chronopharmacology and chronotherapeutics.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007030 Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System A collection of NEURONS, tracts of NERVE FIBERS, endocrine tissue, and blood vessels in the HYPOTHALAMUS and the PITUITARY GLAND. This hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal circulation provides the mechanism for hypothalamic neuroendocrine (HYPOTHALAMIC HORMONES) regulation of pituitary function and the release of various PITUITARY HORMONES into the systemic circulation to maintain HOMEOSTASIS. Hypothalamic Hypophyseal System,Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis,Hypophyseal Portal System,Hypothalamic-Pituitary Unit,Hypothalamic Hypophyseal Systems,Hypothalamic Pituitary Unit,Hypothalamo Hypophyseal System,Hypothalamo Pituitary Adrenal Axis,Portal System, Hypophyseal
D008027 Light That portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the visible, ultraviolet, and infrared range. Light, Visible,Photoradiation,Radiation, Visible,Visible Radiation,Photoradiations,Radiations, Visible,Visible Light,Visible Radiations
D008550 Melatonin A biogenic amine that is found in animals and plants. In mammals, melatonin is produced by the PINEAL GLAND. Its secretion increases in darkness and decreases during exposure to light. Melatonin is implicated in the regulation of SLEEP, mood, and REPRODUCTION. Melatonin is also an effective antioxidant.
D008590 Meningoencephalitis An inflammatory process involving the brain (ENCEPHALITIS) and meninges (MENINGITIS), most often produced by pathogenic organisms which invade the central nervous system, and occasionally by toxins, autoimmune disorders, and other conditions. Cerebromeningitis,Encephalomeningitis,Cerebromeningitides,Encephalomeningitides,Meningoencephalitides
D010870 Pineal Gland A light-sensitive neuroendocrine organ attached to the roof of the THIRD VENTRICLE of the brain. The pineal gland secretes MELATONIN, other BIOGENIC AMINES and NEUROPEPTIDES. Epiphysis Cerebri,Pineal Body,Corpus Pineale,Gland, Pineal,Pineal Bodies,Pineal Glands
D010913 Pituitary-Adrenal System The interactions between the anterior pituitary and adrenal glands, in which corticotropin (ACTH) stimulates the adrenal cortex and adrenal cortical hormones suppress the production of corticotropin by the anterior pituitary. Pituitary Adrenal System,Pituitary-Adrenal Systems,System, Pituitary-Adrenal,Systems, Pituitary-Adrenal
D012160 Retina The ten-layered nervous tissue membrane of the eye. It is continuous with the OPTIC NERVE and receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses to the brain. Its outer surface is in contact with the CHOROID and the inner surface with the VITREOUS BODY. The outer-most layer is pigmented, whereas the inner nine layers are transparent. Ora Serrata
D002909 Chronobiology Phenomena Biological systems as affected by time. Aging, biological rhythms, and cyclic phenomena are included. Statistical, computer-aided mathematical procedures are used to describe, in mathematical terminology, various biological functions over time. Chronobiology Concepts,Chronobiology Phenomenon,Chronobiology Concept,Concept, Chronobiology,Concepts, Chronobiology,Phenomena, Chronobiology,Phenomenon, Chronobiology
D002940 Circadian Rhythm The regular recurrence, in cycles of about 24 hours, of biological processes or activities, such as sensitivity to drugs or environmental and physiological stimuli. Diurnal Rhythm,Nyctohemeral Rhythm,Twenty-Four Hour Rhythm,Nycthemeral Rhythm,Circadian Rhythms,Diurnal Rhythms,Nycthemeral Rhythms,Nyctohemeral Rhythms,Rhythm, Circadian,Rhythm, Diurnal,Rhythm, Nycthemeral,Rhythm, Nyctohemeral,Rhythm, Twenty-Four Hour,Rhythms, Circadian,Rhythms, Diurnal,Rhythms, Nycthemeral,Rhythms, Nyctohemeral,Rhythms, Twenty-Four Hour,Twenty Four Hour Rhythm,Twenty-Four Hour Rhythms
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

Related Publications

L Bourdon, and A Buguet
January 1976, Progress in liver diseases,
L Bourdon, and A Buguet
May 1969, La Presse medicale,
L Bourdon, and A Buguet
January 2001, Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie,
L Bourdon, and A Buguet
August 1976, Gaceta medica de Mexico,
L Bourdon, and A Buguet
July 2001, Science (New York, N.Y.),
L Bourdon, and A Buguet
January 1993, Annali dell'Istituto superiore di sanita,
L Bourdon, and A Buguet
January 1998, Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London,
L Bourdon, and A Buguet
April 2001, Nature,
L Bourdon, and A Buguet
December 1959, Maroc medical,
L Bourdon, and A Buguet
April 1997, Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987),
Copied contents to your clipboard!