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Jet Lag No More-The Cure is Finally Out

by Dr. Enozia Vakil on Oct 6 2013 11:10 PM

Jet Lag No More-The Cure is Finally Out
Scientists are one step closer to make jet lag and shift work less painful, as they have discovered the body clock "reset button".
The findings could reduce the symptoms of travelling through different time zones and working unsociable hours, which often makes people either tired or unable to sleep, the Independent reported.

Results from the study suggest that the newly-found button could be used to switch the master clock to a new time zone, for example from London to Beijing, in just one day.

A team based at Kyoto University in Japan discovered the "reset button" in the brain.

There are clocks located throughout the body but the master clock is found within the brain, where it works to keep the body in tune with the world around us, creating fatigue at night and alertness during daylight.

The clock uses light to monitor time, but adjusts slowly. For every time zone travelled, it takes the body approximately a full day to catch up, according to the BBC.

The team, led by Yoshiaki Yamaguchi, examined genetically modified mice with no vasopressin receptors and found they were able to re-adjust clocks that have been put back eight days within one day.

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Normal mice took six days to adjust and eight days if their clock was put forward eight hours.

Mice without vasopressin receptors again managed to re-adjust their clocks more rapidly and adjusted within two days.

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The study is published in the journal Science.

Source-ANI


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