Age tends to impair our circadian clock to reset itself, when exposed to light, resulting in a constant disruption in sleeping patterns, finds a new study.

‘Alterations in circadian rhythm controlling pathways concerning light sensitivity were responsible for sleep disturbances. This breakthrough could help target treatments that improve both physiological and behavioral circadian clock 're-setting' in older people.
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The breakthrough could help target treatments that aim to improve both physiological and behavioral circadian clock 're-setting' in older people.




Dr. Gurprit Lall, of the University's Medway School of Pharmacy, and the other members of the research team explored alterations in one of the pathways in the part of the brain controlling circadian rhythms. They found that a glutamate receptor (NMDA), used to transmit light information, became less effective in resetting the circadian clock as part of the aging process.
This structural change in the glutamate receptor was responsible for the decline in light response observed. A subunit of the NMDA receptor exhibited a marked decrease in presence among older mammal, indicating an age-associated change in structural configuration.
The study concluded that the aging SCN suffers from a structural reorganization of its light receiving components; which ultimately impair its function in setting and maintaining stable circadian rhythm.
Source-Eurekalert