Biomarkers for Peripheral Circadian Clocks in Humans
University of Colorado, Boulder
Summary
The purpose of this project is to improve our understanding of peripheral circadian rhythms in humans. Circadian clocks are present in most tissues of the body with importance for optimal physiological function, health, and behavior. This project will utilize simulated jetlag protocols to systematically test novel hypotheses about the regulation of peripheral circadian rhythms in humans. Specifically, we will examine how changes in the time of when we are exposed to light and the timing of when we eat impacts proteins in the blood and saliva that represent rhythms from clocks in the brain (e.g., rhythms of the hormones melatonin and cortisol coordinated by the brain) and rhythms from clocks in body tissues (e.g., proteins made by immune and bone cells, and cells in the stomach and liver). We also aim to discover new blood-based biomarkers of peripheral rhythms in humans. We anticipate our findings will be the first step in developing novel circadian based treatments for aligning peripheral clocks under conditions such as jetlag, and for developing novel circadian biomarkers that will advance our scientific understanding of circadian rhythms.
Description
Visit 1: Participants who meet pre-screen/initial inclusion criteria will be consented at Visit 1, complete additional questionnaires and interviews to assess inclusion/exclusion criteria, and we will collect descriptive data as well as have our clinical psychologist perform a clinical interview. Visit 2: Participants will undergo medical screening at the Clinical Translational Research Center at the University of Colorado Boulder (UCB-CTRC) to determine health status. Visits 3 \& 6: Participants will be asked to maintain a regular \~8h sleep-wake schedule for two weeks prior to Visits 5 and…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 17–35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: 1\) 17-35 years old 2) English speaking 3) Healthy 5) Altitude history: Currently residing at Denver altitude or higher Exclusion Criteria: 1\. Any medical, psychiatric, or sleep disorder.
Interventions
- BehavioralSimulated jetlag protocol
16 hours of wakefulness and an 8 hour scheduled sleep opportunity in a simulated jetlag protocol where you will go to bed and awaken earlier than usual.
Location
- Sleep and Chronobiology LaboratoryBoulder, Colorado