In an article published in Nature journal Translational Psychiatry, the researchers hypothesized that circadian rhythm disruption is a psychopathology factor shared by a broad range of mental illnesses. They also added that research into its molecular foundation could be key to unlocking better therapies and treatments. Dr. Pierre Baldi, UCI Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and the senior author of the study, stated that circadian rhythms play a fundamental role in all biological systems at all scales, from molecules to populations. 

Lead author, Dr. Amal Alachkar, a neuroscientist and professor of teaching in UCIs Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, noted the challenges of testing the team’s hypothesis at the molecular level. He added the telltale sign of circadian rhythm disruption, i.e., a problem with sleep, was present in each disorder. Dr. Alachkar stated that the team’s focus was on widely known conditions, including autism, ADHD, and bipolar disorder. They also thought about the impact of the CRD psychopathology factor hypothesis on other mental health issues, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, food addiction, and Parkinsons disease. 

In the study, the UCI-led team analyzed CRD at the molecular level using transcriptomic (gene expression) and metabolomic technologies in mouse models. The study revealed the interplay of circadian rhythms and mental disorders with sex. For instance, Tourette syndrome is present primarily in males, and Alzheimer’s disease is more common in females by a ratio of roughly two-thirds to one-third. According to the researchers, age was also an important factor, as CRD can affect neurodevelopment in early life in addition to leading to the onset of aging-related mental disorders among the elderly.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/diagnostics/circadian-rhythm-disruption-found-to-be-common-among-mental-health-disorders/93950414 )