Inhalt

1 Introduction.- 1.1 The Search for Principles of Physiological Organization in Vertebrate Circadian Systems.- 1.2 Zeitgebers, Entrainment, and Masking: Some Unsettled Questions.- 2 Pathways of Zeitgeber Signals.- 2.1 Comparative Aspects of Retinal and Extraretinal Photosensory Input Channels Entraining Endogenous Rhythms.- 2.2 Neuroanatomical Pattern of Endocrine and Oscillatory Systems of the Brain: Retrospect and Prospect.- 2.3 Unspecific Optic Fibres and Their Terminal Fields.- 2.4 Characteristics of the Interaction Between the Central Circadian Mechanism and the Retina in Rabbits.- 3 The Role of the Nucleus Suprachiasmaticus.- 3.1 Physiological Models of the Rodent Circadian System.- 3.2 Neuroanatomical Organization and Connections of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus.- 3.3 CNS Structures Controlling Circadian Neuroendocrine and Activity Rhythms in Rats.- 3.4 The Neurophysiology of the Mammalian Suprachiasmatic Nucleus and Its Visual Afferents.- 3.5 Neurophysiological Studies of the SCN in the Rat and in the Java Sparrow.- 3.6 Neural Mechanisms in Avian Circadian Systems: Hypothalamic Pacemaking Systems.- 3.7 Limits of Entrainment to Periodic Feeding in Rats with Suprachiasmatic Lesions.- 4 The Role of the Pineal Organ.- 4.1 Phase Responses and Characteristics of Free-Running Activity Rhythms in the Golden Hamster: Independence of the Pineal Gland.- 4.2 Circadian and Infradian Activity Rhythms in the Mammalian Pineal Body.- 4.3 Electrophysiology of the Mammalian Pineal Gland: Evidence for Rhythmical and Non-Rhythmical Elements and for Magnetic Influence on Electrical Activity.- 4.4 Circadian Rhythms of the Isolated Chicken Pineal in Vitro.- 4.5 Endogenous Oscillator and Photoreceptor for Serotonin N-Acetyltransferase Rhythm in Chicken Pineal Gland.- 5 Systemic Aspects.- 5.1 Role of Hormones in the Circadian Organization of Vertebrates.- 5.2 The Neuropharmacology of Circadian Timekeeping in Mammals.- 5.3 Entraining Agents for the Circadian Adrenocortical Rhythm in the Rat.- 5.4 Splitting of the Circadian Rhythm of Activity in Hamsters.- 5.5 Phase-Response Curves and the Dual-Oscillator Model of Orcadian Pacemakers.- 5.6 Orcadian Control of Body Temperature in Primates.- 6 The Circadian Sleep-Wake Cycle.- 6.1 Circadian and Sleep-Dependent Processes in Sleep Regulation.- 6.2 Sleep Circadian Rhythms in the Rat: One or Two Clocks?.- 6.3 Sleep ECoG Rhythm in the High Mesencephalic Rat.- 6.4 Interaction Between the Sleep-Wake Cycle and the Rhythm of Rectal Temperature.- 6.5 The Phase-Shift Model of Spontaneous Internal Desynchronization in Humans.- 7 Photoperiodic Phenomena Related to the Circadian System.- 7.1 Physiology of Photoperiodic Time-Measurement.- 7.2 Pineal Influences on Circannual Cycles in European Starlings: Effects Through the Circadian System?.- 7.3 Complex Control of the Circadian Rhythm in N-Acetyltransferase Activity in the Rat Pineal Gland.- 7.4 The Critical Photoperiod in the Djungarian Hamster Phodopus sungorus.- 8 General and Functional Aspects.- 8.1 Circadian Contributions to Survival.- 8.2 Daily Temporal Organization of Metabolism in Small Mammals: Adaptation and Diversity.- 8.3 Characteristics and Variability in Entrainment of Circadian Rhythms to Light in Diurnal Rodents.- 8.4 Functional Significance of Daily Cycles in Sexual Behavior of the Male Golden Hamster.