Phase shifting endocrine and sleep/activity rhythms with light and serotonergic drugs

Funded Activity Summary

All biological systems, including those of humans, are influenced by changes in the environment, especially by variations in the amount of daylight. In animals the external rhythm of light and darkness interacts with a small part of the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN-often called the biological clock) which has its own self sustained rhythms. The SCN in turn orchestrates rhythms in the secretion of the hormone melatonin from the pineal gland, body temperature, the timing of sleep and the secretion of other hormones. The aim of this study is to extend our knowledge of the inter-relationships between light, the chemical messengers that nerves use to communicate with each other, the biological clock and rhythms in body functions. We will concentrate on one particular chemical messenger called serotonin which we believe plays an important role in keeping rhythms in synchrony with the natural day-night cycle. The results are expected to be of benefit in understanding how certain sleep timing disorders arise and provide some insight into how they might be treated.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2002

End Date: 01-01-2004

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $561,430.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Medical molecular engineering of nucleic acids and proteins

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

Circadian rhythm | Hypothalamus | Melatonin | Neuroendocrinology | Serotonin | Sleep onset insomnia | endocrinology | neuroendocrinology | neuropharmacology

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