Circadian Rhythms and Aging

In most living creatures, circadian rhythms are physiological and behavioral fluctuations with a periodicity of close to 24 hours. These fluctuations constitute significant biological advantages by preparing the organisms for their day and night activities. In humans and all mammals, circadian rhythms are regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), a brain structure in the hypothalamus. The SCN receives environmental time-of-day information from the retina through the hypothalamic tract, a bundle of axons originating from retinal ganglion cells that express the photopigment melanopsin.

The increasing global population age is placing unprecedented demands on healthcare services and medical sciences. Aging affects levels and reduces the strength of behavioral and physiological circadian rhythms and their synchronization to light. Therefore, the present Research Topic seeks to promote cutting-edge science that provides insights and a deeper understanding of the physiology of circadian rhythms and the circadian system during aging.

The scope of this Research Topic extends from clinical research in humans, studies in laboratory animals, literature reviews, and meta-analyses.

To gather further insights into these phenomena, we welcome contributions from a broad spectrum of research disciplines, including:

o Clinical studies investigating circadian patterns in aging populations

o Experiments using animal models of aging to investigate circadian disruptions

o Comprehensive literature reviews and meta-analyses on circadian rhythms in aging

o Behavioral assessments aimed at evaluating deviations in daily activity rhythms

o Molecular biology and neurochemical approaches detailing cellular changes in the aging brain

o Electrophysiological studies and immunohistochemical analyses investigating circadian regulation in aging

o How aging impacts sleep and circadian rhythms, affecting cognitive outcomes

This topic welcomes a diverse array of research methodologies aiming to elucidate the complex interplay between circadian rhythms and aging, ultimately improving health outcomes in the elderly.

Keywords: Aging, Circadian Rhythms, Day-Night Cycle, Circadian Control, Sleep-Wake Cycles, Chronobiology

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.