Restoring Molecular Circadian Rhythm

Exploratory Pilot Study to Discover Genes That Restore the Molecular Circadian Rhythm

The goal is to address the mechanisms that account for alteration of circadian rhythms with age. As the blood of aged individuals can produce this alteration, the investigators propose to use such blood samples to "age" circadian rhythms in cultured cells. The investigators will verify aged blood-dependent alteration of rhythms and then conduct molecular screens to reverse this decline. If the investigators identify specific genes that can restore molecular circadian rhythm in vitro, the investigators will explore these in animal models (Drosophila, mouse).

Inclusion Criteria:

• General good health with the following conditions permissible

  • cardiovascular risk prevention, intake of low dose aspirin,
  • hypertension, intake of beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, calcium channel blockers
  • hypercholesterinemia, intake of statins

• Cases: 70-85 years of age

• Controls: 20-35 years of age

• Patients must be able to read and understand English

• Participants must sign the informed consent form

• Participants must have a wrist-actigraphy-based average TST (total sleep time) ≥ 6 hours per night (measured over 7 consecutive days) occurring between 22:00 - 08:00

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known history of severe psychiatric or cognitive conditions, for example mania, schizophrenia, or mental retardation
• Shift work, defined as recurring work between 22:00-05:00
• History of clinically significant obstructive sleep apnea
• Transmeridian travel across ≥2 time zones in the two weeks prior to the blood draws and one week after,
• > 2 drinks of alcohol per day
• Use of illicit drugs