Editorial: Rhythm in human cognition and action: Health and pathology

Health is a condition of the body, mind, and spirit where an individual remains free from illness. Similarly, wellness is an active state, including living a lifestyle that promotes physical, mental, and emotional health. Physical health is critical for the overall well-being and can be affected by lifestyle, activity level, diet, and behavior. The highest attainable standard of health is a fundamental and universal human right. Consider Lisa, a fifteen-year-old born with congenital...

The biological clock is involved in many aspects of regulating complex physiology in all animals. It was in 1935 when German zoologists, Hans Kalmus and Erwin Bünning, discovered the existence of circadian rhythm in Drosophila melanogaster. However, the internal molecular mechanisms behind the circadian clock remained a mystery until 1984, when Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young discovered the expression of the Per gene oscillating over a 24-hour cycle. In subsequent...

The human brain processes information for decision-making using one of two routes: an intuitive system and a rational system (Epstein, 1994; popularized by Kahneman, 2011 as System 1 and System 2, respectively). The intuitive system is quick, impulsive, and operates with minimal effort, relying on emotions or habits to provide cues for what to do next, while the rational system is logical, analytical, deliberate, and methodical. Research in neuropsychology suggests that the...

Dysrhythmias refers to abnormalities in the heart's rhythm. They result from disruptions in the heart's electrical conduction system, which includes the sinoatrial(SA)node, atrioventricular(AV) node, the bundle of His, bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers.Definition and PathophysiologyDysrhythmias result from disorders of impulse formation, impulse conduction, or both. The heart contains specialized cells in the sinoatrial node, atrioventricular node, and the bundle of His and Purkinje fibers...

Pulse regulation involves physiological mechanisms that ensure adequate blood flow throughout the body. The heartbeat, regulated by the autonomic nervous system, is influenced by hormonal balance, physical activity, and emotional state.

Pulse rhythm refers to the pattern of pulsations within specific intervals, offering valuable insights into the regularity or irregularity of the heart's beats as observed through the pattern of pulsation within specific intervals. A regular pulse exhibits a consistent heart rate with uniform waveforms and pulsation force, variations of which can be classified as normal, weak, or bounding.
Conversely, an irregular pulse pattern is termed dysrhythmia, stemming from disruptions in cardiac...