NEW YORK (Dispatches) -- Scientists have discovered that a protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease is tied to our circadian cycle.
The research conducted at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute reports that circadian regulation of immune cells plays a role in the intricate relationship between the circadian clock and Alzheimer’s disease and emphasize the importance of healthy sleep habits in preventing the protein Amyloid-Beta 42 (AB42) from forming clumps in the brain.
This insight reveals a new mechanism and path to treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s through an interdisciplinary approach, and is emblematic of the CBIS strength in research and discovery and provides a new angle to human health and well-being, says Deepak Vashishth, director of Rensselaer Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies.
The circadian system is composed of a core set of clock proteins that anticipate the day/night cycle by causing daily oscillations in the levels of enzymes and hormones, ultimately affecting physiological parameters such as body temperature and the immune response. Disruption of the circadian system is increasingly associated with diseases like diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s.