Skip to main content

Chronobiology and Cognition

Meaning

This interdisciplinary field investigates the reciprocal relationship between the body’s intrinsic biological rhythms and higher-order cognitive functions. Chronobiology examines circadian, ultradian, and infradian cycles, which are governed by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and peripheral oscillators, dictating the optimal timing for various physiological processes. Cognition, encompassing memory, attention, and executive function, is profoundly influenced by the phase and amplitude of these biological clocks. Disruption of these rhythms, often seen with age or modern lifestyle, can lead to measurable cognitive deficits.