Journal article
Light, melatonin and the sleep-wake cycle.
Abstract
Blood levels of the pineal hormone melatonin are high at night and low during the day. Its secretion is regulated by a rhythm-generating system located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus, which is in turn regulated by light. Melatonin is regulated not only by that circadian oscillator but acts as a darkness signal, providing feedback to the oscillator. Melatonin has both a soporific effect and an ability to entrain the …
Authors
Brown GM
Journal
Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Vol. 19, No. 5, pp. 345–353
Publication Date
November 1994
ISSN
1180-4882