Chronic jet-lag conditions hasten death in...( indicate that there may be a different...)

indicate that there may be a differential effect of mortality depending on the direction of the schedule shift--forward or backward. Schedule "advancers" did more poorly in the present experiment than did "delayers."

Notably, the researchers found that chronic stress--as measured by daily corticosterone levels--did not increase in the old mice experiencing the light-cycle shifts. The underlying cause of the increased mortality is not yet clear, but could involve sleep deprivation or immune-system disruption.

The body's physiological reaction to time change may be complex. Past research has indicated that circadian clocks govern physiological rhythms in a great variety of tissues in the body, and that different aspects of the physiological clock can adjust to schedule changes at different rates. The researchers speculate that the internal lack of synchrony among different physiological oscillations may have serious health consequences that are exacerbated in aged animals.

'"/>

Contact: Heidi Hardman
hhardman@cell.com
617-397-2879
Cell Press
6-Nov-2006


Page: 1 2
Related biology news :

1. Chronic fatigue -- clues in the blood
2. Chronically sleep deprived? You cant make up for lost sleep
3. Chronic neuropathic, phantom pain comes from affected nerve and spinal cord, not brain
4. Chronic oil pollution takes toll on seabirds along South American coast
5. Chronic drinking and smoking cause both separate and interactive brain injury
6. Chronic stress might harm women more than it does men
7. Chronic stress accelerates atherosclerosis following angioplasty procedure
8. Chronic inflammation caused by too little stomach acid leads to gastric cancer
9. Improving plants abilities to cope with saline conditions
10. Changing ocean conditions led to decline in Alaskas sea lion population
11. Blood tests may be possible for mental health conditions