Circadian Clocks, Daily Stress, and Neurodegenerative Disease

Disrupted circadian or 24-h rhythms are among the most common early findings in a wide range of neurodegenerative disorders. Once thought to be a mere consequence of the disease process, increasing evidence points toward a causal or contributory role of the circadian clock in neurodegenerative disease. Circadian clocks control many aspects of cellular biochemistry, including stress pathways implicated in neuronal survival and death. Given the dearth of disease-modifying therapies for these increasingly prevalent disorders, this understanding may lead to breakthroughs in the development of new treatments. In this review, we provide a background on circadian clocks and focus on some potential mechanisms that may be pivotal in neurodegeneration.