Dopamine: a modulator of circadian rhythms/biological clock

Circadian rhythm describes the physical, psychological, and behavioural patterns of living organisms that respond to day night light levels. The important bodily functions like hunger, sleep, gastrointestinal motility, mood, coordination, body temperature, gene transcription, sensory perceptions, sleep-wake cycles hormone release etc are influenced by circadian rhythm. Abnormal may result obesity, depression, diabetes, seasonal affective disorder, bipolar disorders various sleep disorders. neuromodulator dopamine, originate from small groups neurons in mesencephalon (the ventral tegmental area, substantia nigra) diencephalon. In retina, olfactory bulb, striatum, midbrain, hypothalamus, it has been shown have dopamine shows activities, where regulates, clock genes some these areas. Thus, is likely essential mechanisms maintain proper rhythmicity five brain Dopamine receptors located centrally peripherally. Growing evidence involved regulating rhythms, either directly or indirectly, areas through pathways dopaminergic receptor peripherally, plays vital role.