Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Assaying Locomotor Activity to Study Circadian Rhythms and Sleep Parameters in Drosophila
Published on: September 28, 2010
Circadian skin temperature rhythms, circadian activity rhythms and sleep in individuals with self-reported depressive
Noah Lorenz1, Janek Spada2, Christian Sander1
1Medical Faculty, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig, Leipzig, DE, Germany; Research Centre of the German Depression Foundation, Leipzig, DE, Germany.
Background:
Disturbed circadian rhythms have been associated with depression. New body-worn devices allow the objective recording of circadian parameters such as physical activity, skin temperature and sleep. The objective of this study was to investigate whether circadian skin temperature and circadian activity rhythms are altered in depressed individuals.
Methods:
Data on skin temperature, physical activity and sleep were available for 1610 subjects from a population-based cohort study. In a matching process two groups were formed for analysis: 121 participants with pronounced depression symptoms (CES-D Score > 21) and n = 121 matched non-depressed controls (CES-D Score < 15). Circadian rhythms were investigated by analyzing non-parametric rhythm indicators of 24-h skin temperature and physical activity data. Sleep timing, continuity and quantity were calculated from actigraphy.
Results:
No differences between the groups were found when all participants were considered. After excluding antidepressant medicated participants, the depression group was found to have a lower skin temperature amplitude t(208) = 2.45, p = .015 and a less stable skin temperature rhythm t(208) = 2.40, p = .017. The amplitude predicted the group status (beta = -5.529, p = .016). No effects were found for activity or sleep.
Conclusion:
The results indicate that skin-temperature rhythms are blunted in unmedicated depressed individuals. This could be a promising non-invasive marker for further analysis.
Related Concept Videos
Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation
Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...
Pulse rhythm
Conversely, an irregular pulse pattern is termed dysrhythmia, stemming from disruptions in cardiac...
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
ECG Interpretation of Rhythms
Components of the Electrocardiogram
The primary components of a normal ECG waveform in Normal sinus rhythm(NSR) include the P wave, PR interval, QRS complex, ST segment, T wave, and occasionally a U wave.
ECG waveforms are divided by vertical and horizontal lines at standard intervals.
The horizontal axis measures time and rate, and the vertical axis measures amplitude or voltage....
Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm

