Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2025
04:33
Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
Published on: April 26, 2024
831
Associations between circadian misalignment and telomere length in BD: an actigraphy study
Luana Spano1, Vincent Hennion1,2,3, Cynthia Marie-Claire1
1INSERM UMR-S 1144, Optimisation Thérapeutique en Neurospsychopharmacologie, OTeN, Université de Paris, 75006, Paris, France.
International Journal of Bipolar Disorders
|May 26, 2022
Summary
Circadian misalignment, a mismatch in daily rhythms, is linked to shorter telomere length (TL) in bipolar disorder (BD). This finding suggests a potential mechanism for accelerated aging in individuals with BD.
Area of Science:
- Chronobiology
- Molecular Biology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with reduced life expectancy and accelerated cellular aging, potentially indicated by shorter telomere length (TL).
- The specific factors contributing to shorter TL in BD remain incompletely understood.
- This study investigates the relationship between circadian misalignment and TL in individuals with BD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if circadian misalignment is associated with shorter telomere length (TL) in euthymic individuals with bipolar disorder (BD).
- To explore potential mechanisms underlying accelerated aging in BD.
Main Methods:
- 101 euthymic individuals with BD underwent 21 days of actigraphy and completed the Composite Scale of Morningness (CSM) to assess chronotype.
- Telomere length (TL) was measured using polymerase chain reaction.
- Cluster analysis identified circadian-aligned and misaligned subgroups based on preferred and actual activity timing.
Main Results:
- Three clusters were identified: Aligned Morning (n=31), Aligned Evening (n=37), and Misaligned (n=32).
- The Misaligned cluster exhibited an evening chronotype with an earlier objective onset of activity.
- After adjusting for confounders, shorter TL was significantly associated with circadian misalignment and older age.
Conclusions:
- Circadian misalignment may partially explain the reduced telomere length (TL) observed in bipolar disorder (BD).
- This misalignment could be a contributing factor to accelerated aging in individuals with BD.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Bipolar Disorder
152
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition marked by significant mood fluctuations, including episodes of mania and depression. Elevated energy levels, heightened mood or irritability, impulsive behavior, reduced sleep needs, rapid speech, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, and distractibility characterize mania. Individuals with bipolar disorder often alternate between depressive and manic states, with periods of emotional stability lasting an average of six months to a year.
152
02:19Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation
4.2K
The biological clock is involved in many aspects of regulating complex physiology in all animals. It was in 1935 when German zoologists, Hans Kalmus and Erwin Bünning, discovered the existence of circadian rhythm in Drosophila melanogaster. However, the internal molecular mechanisms behind the circadian clock remained a mystery until 1984, when Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young discovered the expression of the Per gene oscillating over a 24-hour cycle. In subsequent...
4.2K
01:19Management of Insomnia
328
The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
328
01:15Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response
137
Circadian rhythms are cyclic changes that are crucial in plasma drug concentrations. Various standard circadian parameters, including core body temperature, heart rate, and other cardiovascular factors, directly impact disease states and the therapeutic response to drug therapy.
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...
137
01:24Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview
333
Mania, a psychological condition characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, and reduced sleep need, is part of the bipolar disorder cycle. The exact cause of mania isn't entirely known, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Bipolar disorder involves alternating manic and depressive episodes. Mood stabilizers like lithium, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants help manage these episodes. Lithium carbonate is particularly effective as...
333