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Circadian Rhythms in Aging and Age-Related Neurogenerative Disease
Kirsi-Marja Zitting1, Robin K Yuan1
1Department of Medicine and Neurology, Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Current Sleep Medicine Reports
|September 17, 2025
Summary
Aging affects the body's internal clock, impacting sleep and potentially contributing to neurodegenerative diseases. Research explores new therapies targeting these age-related circadian rhythm changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Age-related alterations in the circadian timing system are implicated in age-associated disorders.
- Key changes occur in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, melatonin production, and light sensitivity.
- Factors like impaired glymphatic drainage and amyloid-beta buildup also contribute to sleep disturbances in aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review age-related changes in the human circadian system.
- To discuss the manifestation of sleep and circadian rhythm changes in neurodegenerative diseases.
- To summarize emerging therapeutic strategies for age-related sleep and circadian rhythm disruptions.
Main Methods:
- Review of current scientific literature on aging, circadian rhythms, sleep, and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Analysis of proposed mechanisms underlying age-related sleep and circadian changes.
- Synthesis of evidence on the link between sleep/circadian rhythms and neurodegeneration.
Main Results:
- Age-related changes in the circadian system are linked to neurodegenerative conditions.
- Mechanisms include alterations in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, melatonin, light sensitivity, glymphatic function, amyloid-beta, hypoxia, and orexin.
- Light-based therapies, lifestyle interventions, orexin antagonists, and gamma stimulation are being investigated.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the bidirectional relationship between circadian rhythms, sleep, and neurodegenerative diseases is crucial.
- Further research is needed to develop targeted interventions for age-related neurological disorders.
- Interventions targeting sleep and circadian rhythmicity show promise for mitigating age-related cognitive decline.
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