How Does Chronobiology Contribute to the Development of Diseases in Later Life

Abstract

An increasingly older population is one of the major social and medical challenges we currently face. Between 2010 and 2050, it is estimated that the proportion of adults over 65 years of age will double from 8% to 16% of the global population. A major concern associated with aging is the changes in health that can lead to various diseases such as cancer and neurogenerative diseases, which are major burdens on individuals and societies. Thus, it is imperative to better understand changes in sleep and circadian rhythms that accompany aging to improve the health of an older population and target diseases associated with aging. Circadian rhythms play a role in most physiological processes and can contribute to age-related diseases. Interestingly, there is a relationship between circadian rhythms and aging. For example, many older adults have a shift in chronotype, which is an individual’s natural inclination to sleep certain times of the day. As adults age, most people tend to go to sleep earlier while also waking up earlier. Numerous studies also suggest that disrupted circadian rhythms may be indicative of developing age-related diseases, like neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. Better understanding the relationship between circadian rhythms and aging may allow us to improve current treatments or develop novel ones that target diseases commonly associated with aging.

Chronotype, Time of Day, and Children’s Cognitive Performance in Remote Neuropsychological Assessment

“…Most biological functions, as well as several psychological and cognitive processes, present an endogenous circadian rhythm, a pattern of oscillations throughout a period of approximately 24 h. These endogenous rhythms synchronize the internal biological clock with external cues, such as the light-dark cycle [1]. Chronotype refers to the entrainment of the sleep-wake cycle to the phase of the light-dark cycle [1].…”

“…Most biological functions, as well as several psychological and cognitive processes, present an endogenous circadian rhythm, a pattern of oscillations throughout a period of approximately 24 h. These endogenous rhythms synchronize the internal biological clock with external cues, such as the light-dark cycle [1]. Chronotype refers to the entrainment of the sleep-wake cycle to the phase of the light-dark cycle [1]. Chronotype is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors and plays a critical role in the interindividual differences in rest-activity behavior, performance, and preference for earlier or later hours to engage in cognitive/physical activities [2,3].…”

Mutational Signatures in Gastric Cancer and Their Clinical Implications

“…Gastric cancer was rated as the fifth most common cancer type and the fourth most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide [1]. The full extent of the global burden of this disease and public health impact is hard to estimate, particularly in the light of emerging demographic shifts in age distribution toward older populations in developed countries [2,3]. In these countries, where the gastric cancer cases are predominantly sporadic, the majority of patients are diagnosed between ages 65 and 89 [4,5].…”

“…Only base substitutions with more than 5% of percentage of single base substitutions or indels (ID) with more than 5% of percentage or DBS with more than 5% of doublet base substitutions 2. These SBS mutational signatures are presented in Table2 3.…”

“…Only base substitutions with more than 5% of percentage of single base substitutions2 Characterised by POLD1 mutations.…”