Abstract
To anticipate and adapt to daily recurring events defined by the earth’s rotation
such as light-dark and temperature cycles, most species have developed internal, so-called
circadian clocks. These clocks are involved in the regulation of behaviors such as
the sleep-wake cycle and the secretion of hormones and neurotransmitters. Disruptions
of the circadian system affect cognitive functions and are associated with various
diseases that are characterized by altered neurotransmitter signaling. In this review,
we summarize the current knowledge about the interplay of the circadian clock and
the regulation of psychiatric health and disease.
Key words
circadian clocks - clock genes - neurotransmitter - psychiatric disorders - attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHS)