ASSIGNMENT OF ENDOCRINOLOGY

SUBMITTED TO: DR. ZIA UR REHMAN

SUBMITTED BY:SABA RIAZ,SANA SHAN, MEHVISH,

AHADULLAH,NAWAZ

PROGRAMME : BS PHYSIOLOGY(E)

SEMESTER: 6TH

TOPIC: CIRCADIAN RHYTHM

THE ISLAMIA UNIVERSITY OF BAHAWALPUR

Circadian cycle
Circadian rhythm or circardian cycle

• The circadian clock has an internally driven 24-hour rhythm that tends to
run longer than 24 hours but resets every day by the sun's light/dark cycle.

• It can refer to any process that organism can respond to the environment

Note: Cronobiology is the study of circadian rhythm

Fig showing Circadian Cycle

Function:
 The sleep/wake cycle is necessary to replenish and heal the body to ensure
that it can function properly.
 Proper sleep allows the body to engage in circadian rhythms in the body,
which initiates the build-up of energy stores for metabolic processes,
neuronal remodeling for synaptic function, memory consolidation, and the
assimilation of complex motor systems.
 The central nervous system (CNS) plays a critical role during the sleep
cycle. As a result of the activation of the circadian system, the reticular
activating system (RAS) in the brain stem is inhibited from inducing sleep.
 Sleep regulation is distinguished by the balance between the internal sleep
homeostasis (process S) and the external circadian drive (process C)

Control:
Circadian rhythm are regulated by small nuclei in the middle of the brain
They are called the suprachiasmatic nuclei
Nuclei act as control center

Mechanism:
 The circadian pacemaker is the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the
hypothalamus. As the body transitions from light to dark, the body sends inputs
to the retinohypothalamic pineal pathway.
 During the light cycle, axons from the retinal ganglionic cells deliver signals
that activate the suprachiasmatic nucleus via cranial nerve II, the optic nerve.
 The SCN then delivers a signal via the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA
(gamma-amino-butyric acid) that inhibits the paraventricular nucleus.
 Axons subsequently send impulses through the intermediate lateral column to
inhibit the superior cervical ganglion thus inhibiting the sympathetic nervous
system.
  As a result, melatonin does not get released from the pineal gland into
circulation.
 As night approaches, the departure of light signals the retinal ganglion cells to
inhibit the suprachiasmatic nucleus activating the paraventricular nucleus
which then sends axons through the intermediolateral nucleus (IML) to the
superior cervical ganglion stimulating the sympathetic nervous system which
induces sleepiness.
 The pineal gland is mobilized to secrete melatonin into circulation.

Graph of Circadian Cycle:

Effects :
Circadian rhythm have effect on all of the following:

 Body temperature
  Sleep and wakefulness
 Various hormonal changes
 Heart Rate
 Metabolism
 Blood Pressure

Hormone important for sleep:

Melatonin is important hormone in circadian cycle.

Melatonin:

A hormone released by pineal gland helps you feel sleepy once the light go down.

Pineal gland:

In human is a small (100-150mg), highly vascularized and a secretory neuroendocrine organ .it
is located in the mid line of brain , outside the blood brain barrier and attached to the roof of
third ventricle by a short stalk .

Pineal gland is responsible for?

Pineal gland produce several hormone.one of these is melatonin which help to regulate the
body clock, including sleep patterns.pineal gland may also help regulate female hormone level.

How melatonin regulate sleep cycle?

Darkness prompts the pineal gland to start producing melatonin while light causes that
production to stop .as a result melatonin help regulate the circadian rhythm and synchronize
the sleep wake cycle with night and day .in doing so,it facilitates a transition to sleep and
permotesconsistent quality rest …

Factors that effect the Circadian Rhythm in our daily life:

Changes in our body and environmental factors can cause our circadian rhythms and the
natural light-dark cycle to be out of sync.
For example:

Mutations or changes in certain genes can affect our biological clocks.

Jet lag or shift work causes changes in the light-dark cycle.
Light from electronic devices at night can confuse our biological clocks.
 These changes can cause sleep disorders, and may lead to other chronic health conditions,
such as obesity, diabetes, depression, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder.

Sleep:
Sleep is a naturally recurring state of mind and body, characterized by altered consciousness,
relatively inhibited sensory activity, reduced muscle activity and inhibition of nearly all
voluntary muscles during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and reduced interactions with
surroundings.

Importance of sleep:
Sleep is an important part of your overall health and quality of life:

Both the length and quality of your sleep are important. Most people spend nearly a third
of their lives sleeping, and this is necessary for good productivity and health.
Too little or too much sleep can have adverse health effects and impact your quality of
life. Plus, some chronic conditions that cause altered sleep patterns may get worse from
lack of sleep, which could result in a shortened life expectancy.

Different stages of sleep:

◦ As you sleep, your brain cycles through four stages of sleep.

◦ The first three are considered non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, also known as
quiet sleep.

◦ NREM Stage 1

◦ NREM stage 2

◦ NREM Stage 3

◦ The fourth is rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, also known as active sleep

◦ Alert wakefulness: Beta wave are Seen

Queit wakefulness : Alpha wave seen

NREM Stage 1:
The first stage of the sleep cycle is a transition period between wakefulness and sleep.

◦ During stage 1 sleep;

Your brain slows down
Your heartbeat, your eye movements, and your breathing slow with it
Your body relaxes, and your muscles may twitch

◦ Theta waves Begin’s

NREM Stage 2:
◦ According to the American Sleep Foundation, people spend approximately 50% of their
total sleep time during NREM stage 2, which lasts for about 20 minutes per cycle.4

◦ During stage 2 sleep:

◦ Your body temperature drops

◦ Your eye movements stop

◦ Your breathing and heart rate become more regular

◦ More theta waves seeen

◦ Appearance of K-complexes : Nigh voltages biphysic waves

◦ Sleep spindle’s: Unusual rise in frequency of electric activity

NREM stage 3:
 Getting enough NREM stage 3 sleep allows you to feel refreshed the next day.

 During this deep sleep stage, your body starts its physical repairs.

 During NREM stage 3 sleep:

Your muscles are completely relaxed
Your blood pressure drops, and breathing slows
You progress into your deepest sleep

 Theta wave frequency become more slow Delta wave are seen .

REM Sleep:
◦ the fourth stage of sleep, your voluntary muscles become immobilized.
 ◦ REM sleep begins approximately 90 minutes after falling asleep. At this time:1

◦ Your brain lights up with activity

◦ Your body is relaxed and immobilized

◦ Your breathing is faster and irregular

◦ Your eyes move rapidly

◦ You dream

◦ Active from sleep Beta wave are seen

Fig showing four stages of sleep:

Symptoms of sleep Disorder:

General symptoms of sleep disorders include:

 Difficulty falling or staying asleep

 Daytime fatigue
  Strong urge to take naps during the day

 Unusual breathing patterns

 Unusual or unpleasant urges to move while falling asleep

 Unusual movement or other experiences while asleep

 Unintentional changes to your sleep/wake schedule

 Irritability or anxiety

 Impaired performance at work or school

 Lack of concentration

 Dpression

 Weight gain

Test to diagnose sleep disorders:

 Polysomnography (PSG): This is a lab sleep study that evaluates oxygen levels, body
movements, and brain waves to determine how they disrupt sleep vs. home sleep study
(HST) that is performed in your own and is used to diagnose sleep apnea.

 Electroencephalogram (EEG): This is a test that assesses electrical activity in the brain
and detects any potential problems associated with this activity. It’s part of a
polysomnography.

 Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT): This daytime napping study is used in conjunction
with a PSG at night to help diagnose narcolepsy.

Sleep disorders treatement:

Treatment for sleep disorders can vary depending on the type and underlying cause. However, it
generally includes a combination of
 Medical treatments
And life style changes

Medical treatments:

Medical treatment for sleep disturbances might include any of the following:

 sleeping pills

 melatonin supplements

 allergy or cold medication

 medications for any underlying health issues

 breathing device or surgery (usually for sleep apnea)

Lifestyle changes:

Lifestyle adjustments can greatly improve your quality of sleep, especially when they’re
done along with medical treatments. You may want to consider:

 incorporating more vegetables and fish into your diet, and reducing sugar intake

 reducing stress and anxiety by exercising and stretching

 creating and sticking to a regular sleeping schedule

 drinking less water before bedtime

  limiting your caffeine intake, especially in the late afternoon or evening

 decreasing tobacco and alcohol use

 eating smaller low carbohydrate meals before bedtime

 maintaining a healthy weight based on your doctor’s recommendations

 Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day can also significantly improve
your sleep quality.
 While you might be tempted to sleep in on the weekends, this can make it more difficult
to wake up and fall asleep during the workweek.

Physiological things to adopt for healthy sleep:

Good sleep habits (sometimes referred to as “sleep hygiene”) can help you get a good
night’s sleep.

Some habits that can improve your sleep health:

 Be consistent.
 Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning,
including on the weekends
 Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, relaxing, and at a comfortable temperature
 Remove electronic devices, such as TVs, computers, and smart phones, from the
bedroom
 Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime
 Get some exercise.
 Being physically active during the day can help you fall asleep more easily at night.
 Expose yourself to bright sunlight in the morning
 Spend more time outside during daytime
 Let as much natural light into your home or workspace as possible
 Avoid bright screens within 1-2 hours of your bedtime
 Say no to late night television
 When its time to sleep, make sure the room is day
 Exercise during the day
 Focus on heart healthy diet vegetables, fruit, and healthy fats may help you to fall asleep
faster and stay asleep for longer
 Avoid smooking
 Limit caffeine and nicotine
 Avoid big meals at night
 Avoid too much liquids in evening
 Improve your sleep environment
 Keep your room dark , cool and quiet
 If you are not getting sleep at night do a quit, non-stimulating activity.

THANK YOU