Biological Rhythms in the Brain and Gastrointestinal Tract

Biological rhythms (e.g., circadian, ultradian) are inherent oscillations that govern various physiological processes, ensuring optimal organism functioning. An internal timekeeping system orchestrating these rhythms includes the central clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, in other brain regions (e.g., visual system), and peripheral tissues, such as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The SCN is primarily entrained by light input from retinas. Meanwhile, peripheral clocks can be entrained by SCN-derived signals such as body temperature, hormones such as melatonin and cortisol, and feeding regimes. The influence of zeitgebers can be tissue-specific (e.g., meal timings), which regulate GI functions (e.g., changes in ion channel activities, motility, digestion/absorption, and metabolism) and signal back to the brain through neuroendocrine pathways and circuits to regulate functions of other organs. Alterations in the patterns of other factors and melatonin and glucocorticoid release can disrupt biological rhythms and increase the incidence of clinical conditions like cancer, metabolic disorders, and GI diseases.

This research aims to delve into the intricate role of biological rhythms in the brain and GI tract, focusing on their regulatory mechanisms, the functional implications of interactions between the brain and gut clocks, factors enabling the plasticity of these clocks, and the consequences of disruptions in biological rhythms. In doing so, it seeks to bridge and integrate multiple disciplines, including neuroscience, gastroenterology, and chronobiology, by employing interdisciplinary methodologies. By combining neuroscience, gastrointestinal physiology, genetics, electrophysiology, psychology, immunology, imaging, and clinical studies with human subjects and animal models, we can take a holistic approach to understanding these rhythms and their potential implications for health and disease. This knowledge is crucial for developing preventive and therapeutic strategies for related disorders, such as brain disorders, metabolic dysfunction, and gastrointestinal diseases.

We welcome submissions on the following topics, including, but not limited to:

● The mechanisms by which central and peripheral clocks in the brain and GI tract communicate and synchronize with external cues, like light-dark cycles, meal timings, and environmental factors.
● The relationship between disruptions in biological rhythms (e.g., clock gene mutations, changes in activity-sleep patterns, irregular meal timings) and brain/gut disorders, including learning deficits, memory dysfunctions, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
● The interplay between biological clocks and the release of neuromodulators (e.g., dopamine) and hormones (e.g., ghrelin, melatonin, glucocorticoids) in the brain-gut axis.
● The chronobiology of nutrition, including meal timing and frequency, in regulating GI biological rhythms and their overall health implications.
● The clock regulation of ion channels and synaptic plasticity.
● The role of circadian rhythms in governing neural circuits and signaling pathways in the brain and gut.
● The influence of biological rhythms on liver regeneration, cancer development, metabolic functions, and age-related liver diseases.
● The role of adipose tissue as a dynamic endocrine organ (e.g., secretion of adipokines) in regulating circadian rhythm influencing metabolic homeostasis in various organs (e.g., liver).