Circadian Rhythms in Mood Disorders

Altered behavioral rhythms are a fundamental diagnostic feature of mood disorders.

• Patients with mood disorders report worse subjective sleep quality, supported by objective measures indicating circadian rhythm disruptions.
• Molecular clock gene mutations are linked to a higher risk of mood disorder diagnosis and increased severity of symptoms.
• Mouse models with clock gene mutations exhibit abnormal mood-related behaviors.
• Circadian rhythms interact with various biological systems that are disrupted in mood disorders, suggesting a complex relationship in their pathophysiology.
• Evidence suggests that the interaction between circadian and neurotransmitter systems influences mood and behavior.
• Chronotherapeutics are being developed to target circadian rhythm regulators, including sleep, light, and melatonin, to elicit antidepressant effects.

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