Enlightened: The connection between circadian rhythm and depression
Abstract
All life on earth has evolved intricate clock systems to anticipate and adapt to the dynamic demands of a geophysical day. Rhythms can be found across the life kingdom and on several levels of organization – from genes to cells to organisms. Circadian rhythm is a tightly-regulated biological process that is both endogenously driven and entrained by environmental cues. Physiological processes, such as hormonal secretion, the stress system, and mood, follow observable circadian rhythms. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is an important stress system in humans. Dysregulation in the HPA axis and circadian rhythms have been implicated in various metabolic diseases and depression. This paper presents a critical review of the current literature on the relationship between the circadian regulation of the stress system and affective disorders.
Key words: circadian rhythms, depression, light, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, stress, corticotropin-releasing-hormone (CRH)
References
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