Figure 1.Resetting signals of the central and peripheral clocks.
The SCN resets peripheral oscillators via
humoral factors or autonomic innervation leading to circadian hormone
expression and secretion and rhythmic activity of metabolic pathways. In
addition, the SCN dictates rhythms of locomotor activity, sleep-wake cycle,
blood pressure, and body temperature. Light, food, and feeding regimens
affect either the central clock in the SCN or peripheral clocks. Input to
central or peripheral clocks are in blue. Outputs from the central clock to
the periphery are in green.
