Rhythms in Learning and Learning of Rhythms

VALENTINUZZI VERONICA SANDRA

Natal, Rio grande do Norte

Simposio; Third International Symposium on Circadian Rhythms, Sleep, Memory and Emotion; 2010

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

There is a clear interaction between the circadian system and cognitive structures responsible for learning and memory processes. Circadian rhythms in the expression of diverse learning and memory variables are well documented. Good performance of certain learning tasks depends on the time of day and this is observed in diverse species from drosophila and zebra fish to human beings. On the other hand the expression of rhythms can be modulated through learning. Representative examples are time-place learning, food entrainment or waking up at the appropriate time without an alarm clock. How the circadian system modulates cognitive structures and how typical learning processes can be expressed in, or through the timing system is a fascinating field that has been interesting more and more researchers in the last few years.