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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2014 Nov 1.
Published in final edited form as: Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2013 Oct 10;34(11):10.1016/j.tips.2013.09.002. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2013.09.002

Table 1.

Pharmacological targeting of the circadian system. List of potential drug targets aimed at modulating various parameters of circadian rhythmicity.

Goal Utility Possible targets Citations
Enhance central clock Counter age- or disease-related decline. VIPR2 agonists; Lithium 213
Suppress central clock Useful in anticipation of jet travel or shift work Enhanced GABA signaling;
REV-ERBα agonist;
Sirturin 1 activator;
Chronic melatonin agonists;
Bmal1 suppression		 88
234
239
Alter period of molecular clock Useful to correct for phase advance or phase delay Lithium-GSK-3β signaling;
Casein kinase signaling;
VIP signaling		 213
232,262
188
Alter phase of molecular clock Useful to entrain patients without light perception; non-24 hour disorder;
potentially useful to correct for phase advance or delays.		 Phasic melatonin;
Serotonin signaling;
Lithium/Valproic Acid;
NO;
Melanopsin antagonist;
NPY signaling		 104,206,207,210
223–226,230
216
249–250
252
242–244,247
Align peripheral clocks Counter age- or disease-related decline;
Re-establish rhythms after travel or shift work		 Phasic melatonin agonists;
Phasic cortisol analogs;
Phasic NE receptor agonists;
Metformin;
REV-ERBα agonist;
Sirtuin 1 activator		 190,210,212
189
191
218,220
234,236
239