Differences between left- and right-hand reaction time rhythms: indications of shifts in strategies of human brain activity

1,068

855

The interest in the systematic study of the circadian typology (CT) is relatively recent and has developed rapidly in the two last decades. All the existing data suggest that this individual difference affects our biological and psychological functioning, not only in health, but also in disease. In the present study, we review the current literature concerning the psychometric properties and validity of CT measures as well as individual, environmental and genetic factors that influence the CT. We present a brief overview of the biological markers that are used to define differences between CT groups (sleep-wake cycle, body temperature, cortisol, and melatonin), and we assess the implications for CT and adjustment to shift work and jet-lag. We also review the differences between CT in terms of cognitive abilities, personality traits and the incidence of psychiatric disorders. When necessary, we have emphasized the methodological limitations that exist today and suggested some future avenues of work in order to overcome these. This is a new field of interest to professionals in many different areas (research, labor, academic, and clinical) and this review provides a state of the art discussion to allow professionals to integrate chronobiological aspects of human behavior into their daily practice.

Section: Cognitive Stylesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Circadian Typology: A Comprehensive Review

Adán¹,

Archer²,

Hidalgo³

et al. 2012

1,068

855

“…In contrast, the circadian rhythm of the upper limbs has been investigated using both hands. Performance has been reported to differ between the dominant and non-dominant hand, with the period of the rhythm of the non-dominant hand differing from that of the dominant one (Reinberg et al, 1994;Reinberg et al, 1997;Shub et al, 1997). Whereas the dominance seems to be clearly established for the upper limbs (i.e., handedness), in grip strength for example (Fugl-Meyer et al, 1982), it seems to be less evident for the lower limbs (i.e., footedness), that presents a comparable involvement in common daily tasks, like posture and locomotion (Maupas et al, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Time‐of‐Day Effect on the Torque and Neuromuscular Properties of Dominant and Non‐Dominant Quadriceps Femoris

Guette

Gondin

Martin

2005

144

103

The study was conducted first, to determine the possibility of a dichotomy between circadian rhythm of maximal torque production of the knee extensors of the dominant and non-dominant legs, and second, to determine whether the possible dichotomy could be linked to a change in the downward drive of the central nervous system and/or to phenomena prevailing at the muscular level. The dominant leg was defined as the one with which subjects spontaneously kick a football. Tests were performed at 06:00, 10:00, 14:00, 18:00, and 22:00 h. To distinguish the neural and muscular mechanisms that influence muscle strength, the electromyographic and mechanical muscle responses associated with electrically evoked and/or voluntary contractions of the human quadriceps and semi-tendinosus muscles for each leg were recorded and compared. The main finding was an absence of interaction between time-of-day and dominance effects on the torque associated with maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of both quadriceps. A significant time-of-day effect on MVC torque of the knee extensors was observed for the dominant and non-dominant legs when the data were collapsed, with highest values occurring at 18:00 h (p < 0.01). From cosinor analysis, a circadian rhythm was documented (p < 0.001) with the peak (acrophase) estimated at 18:18 +/- 00:12 h and amplitude (one-half the peak-to-trough variation) of 3.3 +/- 1.1%. Independent of the leg tested, peripheral mechanisms demonstrated a significant time-of-day effect (p < 0.05) on the peak-torque of the single and doublet stimulations, with maximal levels attained at 18:00 h. The central activation of the quadriceps muscle of each leg remained unchanged during the day. The present results confirmed previous observations that muscle torque changes in a predictable manner during the 24 h period, and that the changes are linked to modifications prevailing at the muscular, rather than the neural, level. The similar rhythmicity observed in this study between the dominant and non-dominant legs provides evidence that it is not essential to test both legs when simple motor tasks are investigated as a function of the time of day.

“…It entails: (i) a prominent pacemaker -the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus -that under ordinary circumstances coordinates the τ and Φ of rhythms driven by subservient peripheral cell, tissue and organ clocks, all involving a common mechanism and clock genes (Albrecht, 2013); (ii) pineal hormone melatonin that circulates during the nighttime in the absence of artificial light (Zawilska et al, 2009) and (iii) oscillators of the left and right cerebral cortices Shub et al, 1997). Environmental time cues, especially cyclic photoperiodic phenomena of natural dawn and dusk, natural daytime photoperiod duration and perhaps nighttime moonlight intensity, plus temporal patterns of nutrient intake and social activities like work and school serve to synchronize the τ and Φ of endogenous 24 h, monthly and annual clocks and their derived rhythms.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent findings from the study of healthy diurnally active persons and also seasoned shift workers having a SW career duration ≥5 years, including those who have very demanding duties like fire fighters, suggest CTS desynchronization, defined in terms of τ being markedly different from 24 h, is a rather common phenomenon (Reinberg & Ashkenazi, 2008;Reinberg et al, 2007Reinberg et al, , 2013Shub et al, 1997). Many night and rotating SW employees show no clinical signs of illness or pathology as a result of their working arrangement, a condition described by the term allochronism (another way to react); in contrast, some manifest significant symptoms -poor and highly disrupted sleep, hypnotic drug dependency, chronic fatigue even following a good sleep, moodiness and aggressiveness, gastrointestinal system complaints, and overall biological and behavioral loss of tolerance to night and rotating SW schedules, a condition described by the term dyschronism (Reinberg & Ashkenazi, 2003;Reinberg et al, 2007).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Circadian disruption: New clinical perspective of disease pathology and basis for chronotherapeutic intervention

Smolensky

Hermida

Reinberg

et al. 2016

Self Cite

156

Biological processes are organized in time as innate rhythms defined by the period (τ), phase (peak [Φ] and trough time), amplitude (A, peak-trough difference) and mean level. The human time structure in its entirety is comprised of ultradian (τ < 20 h), circadian (20 h > τ < 28 h) and infradian (τ > 28 h) bioperiodicities. The circadian time structure (CTS) of human beings, which is more complicated than in lower animals, is orchestrated and staged by a brain central multioscillator system that includes a prominent pacemaker - the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus. Additional pacemaker activities are provided by the pineal hormone melatonin, which circulates during the nighttime, and the left and right cerebral cortices. Under ordinary circumstances this system coordinates the τ and Φ of rhythms driven by subservient peripheral cell, tissue and organ clock networks. Cyclic environmental, feeding and social time cues synchronize the endogenous 24 h clocks and rhythms. Accordingly, processes and functions of the internal environment are integrated in time for maximum biological efficiency, and they are also organized and synchronized in time to the external environment to ensure optimal performance and response to challenge. Artificial light at night (ALAN) exposure can alter the CTS as can night work, which, like rapid transmeridian displacement by air travel, necessitates realignment of the Φ of the multitude of 24 h rhythms. In 2001, Stevens and Rea coined the phrase "circadian disruption" (CD) to label the CTS misalignment induced by ALAN and shift work (SW) as a potential pathologic mechanism of the increased risk for cancer and other medical conditions. Current concerns relating to the effects of ALAN exposure on the CTS motivated us to renew our long-standing interest in the possible role of CD in the etiopathology of common human diseases and patient care. A surprisingly large number of medical conditions involve CD: adrenal insufficiency; nocturia; sleep-time non-dipping and rising blood pressure 24 h patterns (nocturnal hypertension); delayed sleep phase syndrome, non-24 h sleep/wake disorder; recurrent hypersomnia; SW intolerance; delirium; peptic ulcer disease; kidney failure; depression; mania; bipolar disorder; Parkinson's disease; Smith-Magenis syndrome; fatal familial insomnia syndrome; autism spectrum disorder; asthma; byssinosis; cancers; hand, foot and mouth disease; post-operative state; and ICU outcome. Poorly conceived medical interventions, for example nighttime dosing of synthetic corticosteroids and certain β-antagonists and cyclic nocturnal enteral or parenteral nutrition, plus lifestyle habits, including atypical eating times and chronic alcohol consumption, also can be causal of CD. Just as surprisingly are the many proven chronotherapeutic strategies available today to manage the CD of several of these medical conditions. In clinical medicine, CD seems to be a common, yet mostly unrecognized, pathologic mechanism of human disease as are the many effective chronotherapeutic int...