Rhythms in Physiological Systems: Proceedings of the International Symposium at Schloss Elmau, Bavaria, October 22-25, 1990

This work is based on lectures delivered at an international symposium in October, 1990, on the subject of physiological rhythms. The book aims to demonstrate similarities and inter-relationships between cardiovascular rhythms, respiratory rhythms, circadian rhythms, rhythms of electrical activity of the brain, rhythms in perception and the motor coordination of rhythmic movements. An important concept proposed is that of quasi-attractors, according to which the total system remains in some attractor for a while before being pushed out to enter a new attractor and so on. These attractors are characterized by properties such as mode-locking, free-running modes and chaotic modes. The striking similarity between the different rhythms suggests that the mechanisms underlying their generation are of similar or even identical nature. The relationship between different rhythms is analyzed.