The Cartesian clock metaphor for pineal gland operation pervades the origin of modern chronobiology

In theoretical descriptions formulated during the 1600s, R. Descartes attributed a clock-like role to the pineal gland. He established the belief that pineal function underlies the laws of the universe that determine the cyclic sleep–awake states in man. Recent reports about pineal circadian pacemak...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews 1998, Vol.23 (1), p.1-4
Main Authors: Barrera-Mera, Baltazar, Barrera-Calva, Elvira
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Biological Clocks - physiology
Biological rhythms
Chronobiology
Circadian
Circadian Rhythm - physiology
Descartes, R
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Metaphor
Pineal
Pineal Gland - physiology
Sleep–awake
Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In theoretical descriptions formulated during the 1600s, R. Descartes attributed a clock-like role to the pineal gland. He established the belief that pineal function underlies the laws of the universe that determine the cyclic sleep–awake states in man. Recent reports about pineal circadian pacemakers now validate the brilliant accuracy of Cartesian thought, in relation to the relevant role of the pineal gland
ISSN:0149-7634
1873-7528
DOI:10.1016/S0149-7634(97)00062-6