Disruptions of circadian rhythm can alter gene expression via RNA transcription and translation.
Disruptions in circadian rhythm adversely affect physical and mental health (e.g., NEJM JW Psychiatry Jan 9 2012; and Feb 14 2011), and circadian rhythms are seen in both the modifiers of chromatin structure and the process of RNA transcription and translation. To examine how forced dyssynchrony affects the human blood transcriptome (i.e., the universe of RNA molecules), researchers subjected 22 healthy volunteers to three 28-hour days (i.e., sleep was progressively delayed 4 hours on each day); during scheduled waking episodes, low light was provided.
This protocol allowed for normal melatonin rhythms and only slightly fewer hours of sleep (decreased from 450 minutes to 446, 401, and 388 minutes on each night); thus, study effects were not …
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)