Rhythm Alteration by Drug
Circadian rhythms can be altered by drugs. Actinomycin-D (an antibiotic) can alter the rhythms of synthesis within the cell`s DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) mulecolus. This sift in rhythm may in turn alter the circadian rhythm of some central nervous system functions. Barbiturates such as sodium pentobarbital and sodium thiomylal may also shift circadian rhythms. These drugs suppress the normal rhythm of adrenal hormones, which may account for some of the hangover effect, mental blunting, and confusion that frequently accompany use of these drugs.
Some drugs may be given deliberately to produce altered circadian rhythms. Certain enzyme inhibitors are being used experimentally to shift the circadian activity-sleep cycle. Other drugs, tricyclic antidepressants, extend the period of the sleep cycle. Attempts are also being made to discover if certain adrenal hormones will lessen the period of transient desynchronization that occurs when a person enters a different time zone.
References :
Bolund, L., Actynomycin-D Binding to Isolated Deoxyribonucleoprotein and Intact Cells”, Experimental Cell Research, 63 : No. 11, 1970.
Bunning, Erwin, The Physiological Clock (3rd ed.) New York: SpringerVerlag, Inc., 1973.
Mills, John, ed., Biological Aspects of Cicardian Rhythms. New York: Plenum Press, 1973.
United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Biological Rhythms in Psychiatry and Medicine. Chevy Chase, M.d.: National Institute of Mental Health, 1970.
