title: Development of circadian rhythms: role of postnatal light environment.
abstract: Mammals are born with an immature circadian system, which completes its development postnatally. Evidence suggests that the environment experienced by a newborn will impact and shape its development, which will have future consequences at the levels of circadian system function, circadian behaviour and physiology, and potentially, the animal's long-term health and welfare. Here we review the various stages in postnatal development of the circadian system, and discuss the data available on the long-term effects of early environment, in particular light environment, on the animal's brain, physiology and behaviour.
authors: University of Manchester, Faculty of Life Sciences, AV Hill Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
authors: Elisabeth
authors: E
authors: Brooks
authors: Maria M
authors: MM
authors: Canal
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D004777:Environment; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008027:Light; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology