Title:Mapping the Connection Between Circadian Rhythms, Metabolism, and Neurodegeneration: Exploring Therapeutic Strategies
Volume: 22
Issue: 9
Author(s): Rakesh Bhaskar*, Kannan Badri Narayanan, Krishna Kumar Singh and Sung Soo Han*
Affiliation:
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, South Korea
- Research Institute of Cell
Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, South Korea
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, South Korea
- Research Institute of Cell
Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, South Korea
Keywords:
Circadian rhythm, aging, bright light therapy, neurodegenerative disorder, chrono-pharmacology, melatonin.
Abstract: Circadian rhythms are crucial for essential physiological functions such as metabolism,
sleep-wake cycles, hormone balance, and cognitive abilities, which are regulated by the central
Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN) and peripheral clocks. Disruptions to circadian rhythms, which
may be caused by aging, lifestyle factors, and environmental influences, are linked to metabolic disorders
and Neurodegenerative Diseases (NDs). This review examines the reciprocal relationship
between circadian control and metabolism, highlighting the molecular processes that maintain circadian
rhythms and how these processes change with age. Aging diminishes SCN efficiency and
disrupts peripheral clock alignment, leading to impaired physiological functions, increased oxidative
stress, and neuroinflammation, all of which contribute to the progression of NDs such as
Alzheimer’s (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), etc. Emerging therapeutic
strategies aim to restore circadian function through interventions, including bright light therapy,
melatonin supplementation, and pharmacological agents targeting clock gene regulators and
neuropeptides. Furthermore, lifestyle modifications, such as Structured Physical Activity (SPA)
and Time-Restricted Feeding (TRF), can enhance circadian health by synchronizing metabolic
and hormonal rhythms. Future directions include chrono-pharmacology, gene editing, and Artificial
Intelligence (AI)-driven personalized medicine, all of which emphasize the development of
tailored circadian therapies. Advancing circadian research holds the potential to facilitate better
health outcomes and improve quality of life, while also addressing the growing concerns of the aging
population and NDs.