Descartes and His Peculiar Sleep Pattern.
Rene Descartes (1596-1650) was a mathematician, philosopher, and scholar, whose work set a foundation for modern science. Among other interests, he focused on locating the "core and the seat of the soul" and concluded that the pineal gland was such a structure. Recent scientific findings validate Descartes' deep interest in pineal gland, appreciating its role as part of the circadian rhythm system. On the other hand, the biographical information suggests that Descartes had an aberration of the circadian rhythm (delayed sleep phase). Coincidentally, this meant that one of the most important things in his private life and one of the most significant areas of his research intersected in an overlooked way.
a Clinic for Psychiatry , Clinical Center of Serbia and University of Belgrade , Belgrade , Serbia.
Aleksandar
A
Damjanovic
a Clinic for Psychiatry , Clinical Center of Serbia and University of Belgrade , Belgrade , Serbia.
Srdjan D
SD
Milovanovic
b Sleep Research Unit, University Health Network , Toronto , Canada.|c Neurophysiology Unit, "Dr. Ristic" Health Centre , Belgrade , Serbia.
Nikola N
NN
Trajanovic
D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D005602:France; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000266:history* / Q000276:immunology
Descartes; circadian rhythms; epiphysis cerebri; pineal gland; sleep deprivation