Circadian Mechanisms in Medicine

This review explores the pivotal role of circadian rhythms in human physiology and disease, highlighting the molecular circuitry of circadian clocks and their systemic effects. Central pacemaker neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) synchronize peripheral tissue clocks, regulating processes such as sleep wake cycles, metabolism, immune function, and cardiovascular activity. Disruption of these rhythms due to artificial light, shift work, or genetic mutations is linked to sleep disorders, psychiatric conditions, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and metabolic syndromes like diabetes. The article also discusses therapeutic opportunities, including time restricted feeding, light therapy, and chronopharmacology, to align treatments with endogenous rhythms for improved efficacy. Understanding circadian mechanisms offers novel insights into disease prevention and personalized medicine.

This review explores the pivotal role of circadian rhythms in human physiology and disease, highlighting the molecular circuitry of circadian clocks and their systemic effects. Central pacemaker neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) synchronize peripheral tissue clocks, regulating processes such as sleep wake cycles, metabolism, immune function, and cardiovascular activity. Disruption of these rhythms due to artificial light, shift work, or genetic mutations is linked to sleep disorders, psychiatric conditions, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and metabolic syndromes like diabetes. The article also discusses therapeutic opportunities, including time restricted feeding, light therapy, and chronopharmacology, to align treatments with endogenous rhythms for improved efficacy. Understanding circadian mechanisms offers novel insights into disease prevention and personalized medicine.