The circadian system in Alzheimer's disease: Disturbances, mechanisms, and opportunities
Date
2012
Authors
Coogan, A.
Schutova, B.
Husung, S.
Furczyk, K.
Baune, B.
Kropp, P.
Haber, F.
Thome, J.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Biological Psychiatry, 2012; 333(339):1-7
Statement of Responsibility
Andrew N. Coogan, Barbora Schutová, Susanne Husung, Karolina Furczyk, Bernhard T. Baune, Peter Kropp, Frank Häßler, and Johannes Thome
Conference Name
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative condition associated with severe cognitive and behavioral impairments. Circadian rhythms are recurring cycles that display periods of approximately 24 hours and are driven by an endogenous circadian timekeeping system centered on the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus. We review the compelling evidence that circadian rhythms are significantly disturbed in AD and that such disturbance is of significant clinical importance in terms of behavioral symptoms. We also detail findings from neuropathological studies of brain areas associated with the circadian system in postmortem studies, the use of animal models of AD in the investigation of circadian processes, and the evidence that chronotherapeutic approaches aimed at bolstering weakened circadian rhythms in AD produce beneficial outcomes. We argue that further investigation in such areas is warranted and highlight areas for future research that might prove fruitful in ultimately providing new treatment options for this most serious and intractable of conditions.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Access Status
Rights
© 2012 Society of Biological Psychiatry