Pineal clock gene oscillation is disturbed in Alzheimer's disease, due to functional disconnection from the “master clock”

Jul 5, 2006FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology

Disturbed daily rhythm of the pineal gland in Alzheimer's disease linked to loss of connection with the brain's main clock

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Abstract

Rhythmic expression of clock genes in the pineal gland was lost in Alzheimer's disease patients.

  • The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) regulates peripheral clocks, including the pineal gland's melatonin production.
  • In healthy controls, clock genes hBmal1, hCry1, and hPer1 exhibited rhythmic expression in the pineal gland.
  • In Alzheimer's disease patients, both preclinical and clinical, this rhythmic expression of clock genes was disrupted.
  • A positive correlation between hPer1 and hbeta1-adrenergic receptor mRNA was observed in controls but lost in Alzheimer's disease.
  • In clinical Alzheimer's disease, hCry1 mRNA levels were increased despite the loss of rhythmic clock gene expression.
  • Functional disruption of the SCN may begin in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, indicated by decreased vasopressin mRNA.

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