Nucleus Suprachiasmaticus: Din Interna Klocka

The nucleus suprachiasmaticus (SCN), or circadian rhythm nucleus, is located in the anterior region of the hypothalamus and contains around 20,000 nerve cells. It acts as your internal clock and regulates your sleep / wake cycles. It receives specific stimuli from your retina, which allows you to be more or less active depending on the time of day.

Like animals, humans are sensitive to changes in their environment. The earth and its rotation establish the light and temperature patterns that determine your activity level. Therefore, your metabolism is strongly linked to nature, even if it sometimes does not seem so.

Circadian rhythms or circadian rhythms are biological rhythms that recur naturally every 24 hours. The circadian rhythm core is one of the most interesting parts of the brain because it conveys the circadian rhythm. This nucleus is specifically a regulatory center capable of initiating neurological and hormonal events. In addition, it controls important aspects such as rest, energy, body temperature and hunger.

We actually have two of these cores. Both are located in each of the brain halves, very close to the hypothalamus. They are located just above the optic nerve because they receive signals from the network capsules that regulate a large number of the biological processes.

Studies like the one done by Dr. Joseph L Bendot calls the Nucleus suprachiasmaticus the central clock of the brain. We know that this brain structure helps important processes such as memory creation and learning.

Enjoying enough or quality sleep is essential for the brain and each of its processes. Therefore, disorders of the circadian system can lead to sleep disorders and even memory loss.

How does Nucleus suprachiasmaticus work?

The suprachiasmatic nucleus is complex. The biochemical processes they initiate are as precise as they are intricate.

• This area receives information about your surroundings through your retina.
• Your retina is not just full of photoreceptors that you use to distinguish shapes and colors. They also have nerve cell cells that are rich in melanopsin, a type of pigment.
• This pigment and its cells carry information directly to the circadian rhythm nucleus. Later, after analyzing the information, it will send signals to the upper cervical nerve nodules. These signals will tell the pineal gland or epiphysis to secrete or inhibit melatonin production.
• If it is at night,  melatonin secretion will increase. This especially helps reduce activity levels and promotes sleep.

For a couple of decades now, researchers have been discovering more information about this structure thanks to the banana fly. As many of us know, the study of this insect has given us valuable information about fundamental biological and genetic principles.

Today we know that the  circadian rhythm core helps us to control circadian rhythms. It does this by coordinating and synchronizing the many other internal clocks. Regardless of what is seen, our body and brain have hundreds of small mechanisms that regulate an infinite number of processes and behaviors.

Processes that it helps to regulate are:

• Hunger.
• Digestive processes.
• Winter dormancy (in animals).
• Body temperature.
• Hormone production.
• It encourages our brain and body to perform maintenance and restoration work. It does this especially during the REM phase.

Many factors can alter the functions of the Nucleus suprachiasmaticus . Many of them can be deduced from your daily routines:

• Being awake at night in front of a digital screen.
• Not following a fixed routine.
• Jetlag.
• Living in cities with high pollution.

In addition, the nucleus suprachiasmaticus has a direct relationship to the pituitary gland and the production of melatonin. Your hormone levels drop as you get older. This leads to problems such as sleep disorders, fatigue, memory loss, fatigue, depression and more

In addition, researchers have discovered that neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, lead to the progressive loss of neurons that make up the Nucleus suprachiasmaticus.

Therefore,  you should follow a regular schedule. Likewise, you should also check how much you are exposed to the blue light that electronic gadgets emit.