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Cited by 152Circadian rhythm and melatoninSleep and Wakefulness ResearchSleep and Work-Related Fatigue

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 41 of the 41 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Thermoregulatory effects of melatonin in relation to sleepiness

Kräuchi, Kurt, Cajochen, Christian, Pache, Mona, Flammer, Josef, Wirz‐Justice, Anna·2006·Chronobiology International
DOI 10.1080/07420520500545854
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Abstract

Thermoregulatory processes have long been implicated in the initiation of human sleep. In this paper, we review our own studies conducted over the last decade showing a crucial role for melatonin as a mediator between the thermoregulatory and arousal system in humans. Distal heat loss, via increased skin temperature, seems to be intimately coupled with increased sleepiness and sleep induction. Exogenous melatonin administration during the day when melatonin is essentially absent mimics the endogenous thermophysiological processes occurring in the evening and induces sleepiness. Using a cold thermic challenge test, it was shown that melatonin-induced sleepiness occurs in parallel with reduction in the thermoregulatory set-point (threshold); thus, melatonin may act as a circadian modulator of the thermoregulatory set-point. In addition, an orthostatic challenge can partially block the melatonin-induced effects, suggesting an important role of the sympathetic nervous system as a link between the thermoregulatory and arousal systems. A topographical analysis of finger skin temperature with infrared thermometry revealed that the most distal parts of the fingers, i.e., fingertips, represent the important skin regions for heat loss regulation, most probably via opening the arteriovenous anastomoses, and this is clearly potentiated by melatonin. Taken together, melatonin is involved in the fine-tuning of vascular tone in selective vascular beds, as circulating melatonin levels rise and fall throughout the night. Besides the role of melatonin as "nature's soporific", it can also serve as nature's nocturnal vascular modulator.

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Research works printed but not linked: 11

  1. Brown C. C, 1979, Waking Sleeping, 3, 353
  2. Cagnacci A., 1992, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 75, 447
  3. Dubocovich M., 2000, Melatonin After Four DecadesKluwer Academic Edition, 181
  4. Grant R. T., 1931, Heart, 15, 385
  5. Hales J. R.S, 1985, Cardiovascular Shunts. Alfred Benzon Symposium 21, 433
  6. Kräuchi K., 1994, Am. J. Physiol., 267, R819
  7. Kräuchi K., 1997, Sleep Res., 26, 79
  8. Kräuchi K., 1999, Sleep, 22, 285
  9. Kräuchi K., 2000, Am. J. Physiol., 278, R741
  10. Kräuchi K., 2002, Chronobiol. Int., 19, 993
  11. Szymusiak R., 2001, Arch. Ital. Biol., 139, 77

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Metadata

Authors
Kräuchi, K., Cajochen, C., Pache, M., Flammer, J., & Wirz‐Justice, A.
Affiliations
  • Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken Basel (CH)
  • University Hospital of Basel (CH)
Corresponding author
Kräuchi, Kurt
ORCID
Venue
Chronobiology International
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2006-01
Volume
23
Issue
1-2
Pages
475-484
ISSN
  • 0742-0528 (ISSN-L)
  • 1525-6073
DOI
10.1080/07420520500545854
OpenAlex
W2112943789
Cited by
152
References
40
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 6
FWCI
2.38
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Chronobiology International (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
Keywords
melatonin, thermoregulation, sleepiness, sleep induction, thermoregulatory set point, circadian rhythm, arousal system, skin temperature, heat loss, orthostatic challenge, sympathetic nervous system, finger temperature, arteriovenous anastomoses
MeSH terms
Adult, Body Temperature Regulation, Circadian Rhythm, Hot Temperature, Humans, Male, Melatonin, Models, Biological, Skin Temperature, Sleep, Sleep Stages, Temperature, Time Factors

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