Is time the ultimate variable in Neuropharmacology?

Chronopharmacology is the science that investigates how chronobiological aspects modulate drug efficacy and safety. Central to this field is the circadian cycle, our body´s internal clock, regulating physiological processes including metabolism, the sleep-wake cycle, and neuroendocrine rhythms.

It has been proposed that time-of-day variation can alter both the efficacy and side-effect profiles of CNS-active compounds, while molecular circadian clock mechanisms dynamically regulate drug targets and metabolic enzymes. In parallel, neuroendocrine rhythms, including the rhythmic secretion of stress hormones and time-dependent fluctuations in gonadal steroids, further modulate neuropharmacological responses that can impact the body´s handling of drugs and contribute to sex differences in drug action. The role of sleep-wake cycles and sleep deprivation also highlights the interplay between neurological status and neuropharmacological outcomes. However, despite the emerging importance of chronopharmacological principles in the pharmacological treatment of brain disorders, there is still no consensus on clinical practices and protocols. Considering that individual differences in patients´ biological rhythms and their synchronization with environmental factors can lead to fluctuations in the organism´s sensitivity to the therapeutic and side effects of drugs, understanding how chronopharmacological principles can influence the effectiveness of CNS-active compounds is a key demand. This understanding could open new avenues for more effective, personalised, and time-optimized therapies, improving drug efficacy in diverse clinical settings.

By bringing together studies at the molecular, cellular, systems, and clinical levels, this special collection aims to advance our understanding of how biological rhythms can be leveraged to optimize pharmacological treatments in brain disorders and disease.
We encourage high-quality contributions that explore the principles of chronopharmacology in the context of psychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. This encompasses mechanisms and therapeutic applications, covering topics including, but not limited to, the following:

• Targeting circadian rhythms in psychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
• Interaction between ultradian, circadian, and infradian rhythms in psychoactive drug effects.
• Time-of-day variation in CNS drug efficacy and side-effect profiles.
• Time-of-day variation in CNS drug receptor expression, signalling pathway, and cellular sensitivity.
• The role of neuroendocrine rhythms in modulating neuropharmacological responses.
• The effect of sleep-wake cycles and sleep deprivation on neuropharmacological outcomes.
• Molecular circadian clock mechanisms and their regulation of CNS drug targets.
• Time-dependent gonadal steroid rhythms and sex differences on CNS-active compounds.

The present collection welcomes manuscripts on the following article types:

Brief Research Report, Case Report, Clinical Trial, Community Case Study, Correction, Data Report, Editorial, General Commentary, Hypothesis & Theory, Methods, Mini Review, Opinion, Original Research, Perspective, Review, Study Protocol, Systematic Review, Technology and Code.

After a rigorous peer-review process, articles accepted for publication incur a publication fee, which is covered by the authors, their institutions, or funding organizations.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Chronopharmacology of Psychiatric Disorders and Neurodegenerative Diseases: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Applications