The Pineal Gland and its Endocrine Role pp 575-587 | Cite as
Melatonin as a Chronobiological Marker in Health and Disease
Abstract
The psychiatric literature has reported possible relationship between mental illness and time of day, season of birth and even lunar cycle. Many psychiatric patients e.g. with affective disorders cycle with more or less regularity. The modern life style has led scientists to study body rhythms in shift-workers, air-travellers across time zones and astronauts. The influence of rapid shifts in light-dark cycles and magnetic fields, social isolations and even weightlessness has been examined. In order to understand the effects of these changes there is a need for new markers for endogenous rhythms. Hormonal variations may be associated with boredom, withdrawl and irritability in healthy persons. Desynchronization, upsetting the circadian, circaannual and other rhythms may also cause fatigue, decreased performance, insomnia, anxiety, depression and other psychiatric and somatic symptoms.
Keywords
Sleep Deprivation Pineal Gland Melatonin Level Dexamethasone Suppression Test Melatonin SecretionPreview
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References
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