From early birds to night owls: a review of chronobiology

The field of chronobiology can be used to better understand variations in human health. First described in the 1700s, it seeks to explore the mechanisms underlying the various body rhythms in humans and the consequences of altering these rhythms in terms of pathology. Several key genes have been discovered and various tools have been created to determine an individual’s particular chronotype. Studies have demonstrated that variations in rhythms are potentially implicated in the development of various gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neurological, and infectious disease processes. Finally, tailoring treatment to a person’s circadian rhythm, termed chronotherapeutics, appears to have a benefit in reducing morbidity from disease. This review seeks to provide an overview of this exciting field.