Disruption of the biological clock can lead to mental disorders
A new UK study has provided more evidence that disrupting the internal biological clock can put people at increased risk for mental disorders.
The clock ticks in almost every comorce of our organismsow. When the work of these clocksoin becomes an interferenceocona, this causes its own consequences, much more serious than sleep disorders. Genetic mechanisms thatore control of our diurnal rhythm, are highly complex. They are being dealt with by a separate scientific field – chronobiology.
We all live according to a 24-hour pattern. However, factors such as artificial light, night shifts, aging, certain diseases and subroI turn my phone off at 10 pmodifferent time zones can ringock our biological clock into disarray. And this can lead to undesirable effectsow.
Our internal clock adjusts our physiology to different phases of the day. The clock regulates important functions such as behavior, hormone levelsow, sleep, body temperature and metabolism. A chronic inappropriate relationship between our lifestyle and the rhythms dictated by our internal clock is associated with an increased risk of roa different diseaseob.
The internal clock in a mammalow is located in the mozg, specifically in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the anterior hypothalamusorza. It regulates diurnal physiological, biochemical and behavioral rhythms. Regions of mozgu, where the internal clock is located, are linked to the pineal gland, whichora produces melatonin in response to the quantity and quality of light received by our eyes. Otherwise moplaying the role of coordinator of the diurnal rhythm.
In a study conducted in the British Isles, ktoThe study involved 91,000 peopleob, scientists found that disruption of the biological clock was associated with mental disorders. According to them, this is a warning that societies as a whole are becoming less and less attuned to natural rhythmsow.
This is the largest such study conducted to date. Lasted from 2013 to 2016. His findings were published in the journal „The Lancet”.
– We did not evolve to stare at smartphone screensow after night. SwoI turn my phone off at 10 pm. – said Professor Daniel Smith of the University of Glasgow, whoory for some of the casesoin sleep disorders blames precisely the new technologies. Although the study found a link between the plantotion of the diurnal rhythm and psychiatric disorders, it did not show what the causes of this.
Study participants wore activity monitors for a week to determine how interferingocone their biological clocks. In addition, participants were asked and filled out questionnaires about their mental health. Those whooers were very active at night or inactive during the day, they were classified as having an interferingoThe biological clock.
These individuals were more prone to mood changesoIn than people with a more typical diurnal rhythm pattern. Additionally, they were more likely to suffer from depressive disorders or bipolar affective disorder. They were also characterized by higher levels of neuroticism, were more likely to be lonely and tended to be dissatisfied with life. Moreover, the subjects had slower reaction times. According to the researchers, reaction time provides an indirect measure of cognitive function.
– The study mowi us that the biological clock is very important for mood disorders and should be given greater priority in research and organizing societies. We need to reorganize the wayob how we learn and work to live in harmony with our natural rhythms – argued Smith.
Scientists had already realized the importance of this fragile system, ktory controls our bodies and can affect our mental health. The winners of last year’s Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology were researchers whooers were concerned with explaining the mechanism ofow that control our diurnal rhythm. For more on this topic, see the text: the chief biological clock is hidden in our heads.