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A statistical model of the human core-temperature circadian rhythmWe formulate a statistical model of the human core-temperature circadian rhythm in which the circadian signal is modeled as a van der Pol oscillator, the thermoregulatory response is represented as a first-order autoregressive process, and the evoked effect of activity is modeled with a function specific for each circadian protocol. The new model directly links differential equation-based simulation models and harmonic regression analysis methods and permits statistical analysis of both static and dynamical properties of the circadian pacemaker from experimental data. We estimate the model parameters by using numerically efficient maximum likelihood algorithms and analyze human core-temperature data from forced desynchrony, free-run, and constant-routine protocols. By representing explicitly the dynamical effects of ambient light input to the human circadian pacemaker, the new model can estimate with high precision the correct intrinsic period of this oscillator ( approximately 24 h) from both free-run and forced desynchrony studies. Although the van der Pol model approximates well the dynamical features of the circadian pacemaker, the optimal dynamical model of the human biological clock may have a harmonic structure different from that of the van der Pol oscillator.
Document ID
20040141433
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Brown, E. N.
(Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Boston 02114-2696, United States)
Choe, Y.
Luithardt, H.
Czeisler, C. A.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
September 1, 2000
Publication Information
Publication: American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism
Volume: 279
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0193-1849
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: 1-P01-AG-09975
CONTRACT_GRANT: 1-R01-AG-06072
CONTRACT_GRANT: 1-R01-GM-53559
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Discipline Regulatory Physiology
Non-NASA Center

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