Chrono‐Gerontology: Integrating Circadian Rhythms and Aging in Stroke Research

Abstract

Stroke is a significant public health concern for elderly individuals. However, the majority of pre‐clinical studies utilize young and healthy rodents, which may result in failure of candidate therapies in clinical trials. In this brief review/perspective, the complex link between circadian rhythms, aging, innate immunity, and the gut microbiome to ischemic injury onset, progression, and recovery is discussed. Short‐chain fatty acids and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide+ (NAD+) production by the gut microbiome are highlighted as key mechanisms with profound rhythmic behavior, and it is suggested to boost them as prophylactic/therapeutic approaches. Integrating aging, its associated comorbidities, and circadian regulation of physiological processes into stroke research may increase the translational value of pre‐clinical studies and help to schedule the optimal time window for existing practices to improve stroke outcome and recovery.