One target for such inhibition, the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade, has a role in inflammation by mediating the cellular response to stress, pathogens, and cytokines.

Figure 1: Photic stimulation during subjective night triggers activation of the MAPK signaling cascade. Figure 4: Photic stimulation results in nuclear co-localization of P-ERK and P-CREB in the SCN.