CIRCADIAN-RHYTHM RELATED TO THE HUMAN-BODY TEMPERATURE - THEORETICAL-STUDY BY COMPUTER-SIMULATION

The circadian rhythm related to the human body temperature was studied by computer simulation of a neural network model reflecting the central nervous system. In the simulation, the human body is represented by three separate cylinders for the head, trunk, and extremities. Afferent signals from hypothalamic and cutaneous receptors were considered as inputs of the temperature regulatory center of the hypothalamus. The simulation revealed that not only a heat production rhythm due to daily variations both in secretions of several hormones and in enzymatic activities but also rhythmic activity of the hypothalamic thermosensitive neurons are responsible for the circadian rhythm related to the body temperature. © 1979.