Sommeil et nutrition : approche chronobiologique par les rythmes hormonaux

The suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus are the site of the master circadian clock in mammals. The suprachiasmatic clock modulates sleep and food intake, so that both do not occur at the same times of the daily cycle. Hormonal rhythms are, to various degrees, under the control of sleep and/or the suprachiasmatic clock. Drastic changes in homeostatic processes of sleep (e.g., sleep deprivation) or calorie intake (e.g., food restriction) can have an impact on the master circadian clock. Moreover, a chronic desynchronization affects sleep and it can also lead to metabolic changes. Interactions between the circadian clock, sleep-wake cycle and food intake are thus complex, and these systems regulate each other. Their alterations are associated with a host of major health problems.