A 35-year old man who is a pilot travels between the USA and other countries visits you in the office due to difficulty sleeping. He said that he has been experiencing insomnia and daytime sleepiness after the flights but his sleep improves significantly. Which of the following hypothalamic nuclei is most likely responsible for this delayed improvement in his symptoms?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: The suprachiasmatic nucleus regulates circadian rhythms by processing light information from the retina and modulating body temperature and the production of hormones (eg, cortisol, melatonin).  Dyssynchrony between the local environment (eg, daylight hours, sleep schedules) and internal circadian rhythms can cause insomnia and daytime sleepiness (ie, jet lag).  Melatonin supplementation is recommended for the treatment of insomnia associated with jet lag.

A 35-Year Old Man Who Is a Pilot Travels Between