Biological Rhythms Workshop IB: neurophysiology of SCN pacemaker function
Summary:
This paper discusses the function of pacemakers in mammals, specifically focusing on the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, and how it generates self-sustained oscillations and synchronizes downstream targets to the environmental light/dark cycle.
Categories
- Cognitive function and memory: The paper discusses the role of the SCN in the hypothalamus, which is responsible for generating self-sustained oscillations and synchronizing downstream targets to the environmental light/dark cycle, which is crucial for cognitive function and memory.
- Hormone regulation: The paper discusses how the SCN pacemaker regulates the timing of essential brain and physiological processes, which includes hormone regulation.
- Lighting Design Considerations: The paper discusses how the SCN pacemaker is entrained (synchronized) to the external light cycle, which is a consideration in lighting design.
- Well-being: The paper discusses the physiological significance of circadian timing in animals, which is crucial for overall well-being.
Author(s)
SJ Kuhlman
Publication Year:
2007
Number of Citations:
11
Related Publications
Cognitive function and memory
- Phototransduction by retinal ganglion cells that set the circadian clock
- The two‐process model of sleep regulation: a reappraisal
- Strange vision: ganglion cells as circadian photoreceptors
- Information processing in the primate retina: circuitry and coding
Hormone regulation
- Phototransduction by retinal ganglion cells that set the circadian clock
- The impact of light from computer monitors on melatonin levels in college students
- Circadian rhythms–from genes to physiology and disease
- Effects of artificial dawn and morning blue light on daytime cognitive performance, well-being, cortisol and melatonin levels
Lighting Design Considerations
- Color appearance models
- Melanopsin-positive intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells: from form to function
- Acute alerting effects of light: A systematic literature review
- Form and function of the M4 cell, an intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell type contributing to geniculocortical vision
Well-being
- Acute alerting effects of light: A systematic literature review
- Effects of artificial dawn and morning blue light on daytime cognitive performance, well-being, cortisol and melatonin levels
- Can light make us bright? Effects of light on cognition and sleep
- Light pollution, circadian photoreception, and melatonin in vertebrates