Circadian rhythms and clock genes in psychotic disorders.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to explore the role of circadian rhythm therapies, including light therapy, in addressing sleep disturbances and realigning circadian rhythms in psychiatric disorders such as bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia.
Results Summary
Light therapy, along with other circadian-based interventions, appears beneficial for affective disorders by improving sleep timing and duration. However, interventional studies specifically targeting schizophrenia are scarce, though melatonin has shown promise in improving sleep structure and psychotic symptoms.
Population
Patients with bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
therapies aimed at altering the timing and duration of sleep and realigning circadian rhythms, including sleep scheduling, wake extension, light therapy and drug therapies that alter sleep and circadian rhythms | decrease | affective disorders | - | - | appear beneficial | #1 |
exogenous melatonin | increase | sleep structure and psychotic symptoms | schizophrenia | - | has been shown to improve | #2 |
Numerous lines of evidence suggest that a disordered circadian system contributes to the etiology and symptomatology of major psychiatric disorders. Sleep disturbances, particularly rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, have been observed in bipolar affective disorder (BPD) and schizophrenia. Therapies aimed at altering the timing and duration of sleep and realigning circadian rhythms, including sleep scheduling, wake extension, light therapy and drug therapies that alter sleep and circadian rhythms appear beneficial for affective disorders. Interventional studies aiming to correct sleep and circadian disturbances in schizophrenia are scarce, although exogenous melatonin has been shown to improve both sleep structure and psychotic symptoms. The study of molecular clock mechanisms in psychiatric disorders is also gaining interest. Genetics studies have found associations with CLOCK, PERIOD1, PERIOD3, and TIMELESS in schizophrenia. Most research on BPD has focused on polymorphisms of CLOCK, but the lithium target GSK-3 may also be significant. New research examining the role of circadian rhythms and clock genes in major mental illness is likely to produce rapid advances in circadian-based therapeutics.