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Circadian Pacemaker

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Circadian Pacemaker
A cluster of neurones, the activity of which fluctuates in ±24 hour cycles; the circadian pacemaker resides in the pineal gland, which weighs 100–180 mg and derives embryologically from the ependyma at the roof of the 3rd ventricle; the circadian pacemaker influences the pineal gland, which produces melatonin at night

circadian pacemaker
A cluster of neurons, the activity of which fluctuates in ± 24 hr cycles; the CP resides in the pineal gland, weighs 100-180 mg, and derives embryologically from the ependyma at the roof of the 3rd ventricle; the CP influences the pineal gland, which produces melatonin at night. See Bright light therapy, Chronotherapy, Circadian rhythm, Melatonin, Seasonal affective disorder, Zeitgeber.


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The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) within the hypothalamus regulates the body's circadian system and has been established as the master circadian pacemaker or master clock.
It promotes wakefulness as input from the retina goes to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, which contains a circadian pacemaker.
The hypothalamic SCN is the master circadian pacemaker in mammals, driving circadian rhythms in behavior, physiology, endocrinology, and metabolism (Ko and Takahashi 2006; Moore and Leak 2001).
 
 
 
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