About this Research Topic
Whilst endogenously driven ultradian rhythms are increasingly reported in studies that sample at a frequency high enough to detect short period rhythms, their function and driving mechanisms remain largely unknown. Ultradian rhythms are not dependant on the well-known circadian, 24-hour biological clocks, but interactions between ultradian and circadian rhythms have been reported which appear particularly sensitive to modulation by food availability and energy balance. Despite this close relationship to the well-recognised and studied circadian rhythms, ultradian rhythms remain an emerging field which is seeing increasing research activity, but as a research community is less well organised.
It is therefore timely and relevant to comprehensively describe the field of ultradian rhythm research, establish the state-of-the-art in models and methods, and identify the research frontiers in ultradian rhythm research. In this research topic we will review what is currently known about ultradian rhythms, as well as different sections focusing on empirical, mechanistic and modelling reports. The collection of papers will showcase the current state of ultradian rhythm research, and will highlight the upcoming challenges that the field faces in unmasking the role of ultradian rhythms.
Keywords: Ultradian rhythms, circadian rhythms, methods, behavior, physiology, molecular
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