Circadian rhythm disruption tied to several mental health disorders

In 10 seconds? A group of scientists at the University of California, Irvine has hypothesized that circadian rhythm disruption is a shared mechanism among several different mental health disorders. Their recent paper suggests that further research into this commonality could open the way to more effective therapies.

What’s the breakthrough? Disruption of the circadian rhythm may bridge various mental health disorders across the lifespan. This can begin as early as in pregnancy, i.e. circadian rhythm disruption could be triggered through something like shift work that may affect not just the mother but the development of mental health disorders in the child. Later in life, circadian sleep disruption may also lead to aging-related disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.