Circadian rhythms are biological oscillations with a period of about 24 hours, which allow the organisms to anticipate changes in the environment. These rhythms are maintained by an innate genetically determined time-keeping system called “the molecular circadian clockwork”, in which the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus (SCN) is the master biological clock.
As established, circadian rhythmicity has a profound effect on the physiological organization of vertebrates, so disruption of these rhythms has been associated with the development of multiple clinical conditions, such as mental and metabolic diseases, cancer, addiction and pain. In the past years it has become evident that important etiological and therapeutic connections exist between clock-based features of an organism and its pathologies. However, the functional links between disturbances of the circadian rhythms and overall health in animal models and humans are yet to be characterized.
The current Research Topic focuses on the relevant role of clock genes in diverse pathologies. Specifically, our main objective is to provide a major input to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms and the impact of gene-environment interactions of circadian rhythms on certain medical pathologies. In this context, we welcome original research, reviews and mini-review articles based on the following topics:
• Clock genes in mental diseases
• Clock genes in metabolic diseases
• Clock genes in immune system diseases
• Clock genes in cancer
• Clock genes and drugs consumption
• Clock genes like novel therapeutic agents
• Neuroendocrinology of circadian motivated behaviors and addiction
Circadian rhythms are biological oscillations with a period of about 24 hours, which allow the organisms to anticipate changes in the environment. These rhythms are maintained by an innate genetically determined time-keeping system called “the molecular circadian clockwork”, in which the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus (SCN) is the master biological clock.
As established, circadian rhythmicity has a profound effect on the physiological organization of vertebrates, so disruption of these rhythms has been associated with the development of multiple clinical conditions, such as mental and metabolic diseases, cancer, addiction and pain. In the past years it has become evident that important etiological and therapeutic connections exist between clock-based features of an organism and its pathologies. However, the functional links between disturbances of the circadian rhythms and overall health in animal models and humans are yet to be characterized.
The current Research Topic focuses on the relevant role of clock genes in diverse pathologies. Specifically, our main objective is to provide a major input to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms and the impact of gene-environment interactions of circadian rhythms on certain medical pathologies. In this context, we welcome original research, reviews and mini-review articles based on the following topics:
• Clock genes in mental diseases
• Clock genes in metabolic diseases
• Clock genes in immune system diseases
• Clock genes in cancer
• Clock genes and drugs consumption
• Clock genes like novel therapeutic agents
• Neuroendocrinology of circadian motivated behaviors and addiction
