circadianrelated

Circadianrelated refers to anything pertaining to circadian rhythms or their study. In biology, circadian rhythms are endogenous, approximately 24-hour cycles that regulate physiology and behavior in many organisms. The central mechanism is the circadian clock, located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the brain, with peripheral clocks present in nearly all tissues.

The molecular clock operates through transcription-translation feedback loops involving core components such as CLOCK, BMAL1, PER, and CRY. These loops generate rhythmic gene expression and physiological changes over the day. Entrainment, the process by which the clock aligns with the environment, is driven primarily by light cues detected by the retina, but is also influenced by feeding, temperature, and activity. Circadian regulation affects sleep-wake patterns, hormone secretion, metabolism, body temperature, and cognitive function.

Disruptions to circadian timing—such as shift work, jet lag, irregular sleep schedules, aging, or certain disorders—are associated with adverse health outcomes, including sleep disturbances, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular risk, mood disorders, and impaired performance. Research in circadian biology, often described as circadian-related science, seeks to understand these rhythms and apply findings to circadian medicine. Applications include light therapy for rhythm sleep disorders, timed feeding strategies, and chronopharmacology designed to optimize drug efficacy and minimize side effects by aligning treatment with biological timing.