Chronobiological Aspects of Aging, Neurodegeneration, and Inflammation

Our modern-day lifestyle is frequently accompanied by irregular sleep and eating schedules, shift work, and substantial artificial light exposure at night, leading to chronic circadian disruptions. Aberrations in circadian functioning can cause a myriad of physiological and metabolic irregularities, disturbances in the sleep–wake cycle, neurodegeneration, oxidative damage, and a reduced lifespan. Circadian rhythm, sleep, aging, neurodegeneration, and inflammation form a complex interconnected physiological web. The precise circadian timekeeping system deteriorates as we age, leading to decreased adaptability to environmental changes and disruptions in finely tuned circadian regulations of diverse behavioral, physiological, and metabolic processes. Apparent alterations in sleep patterns also emerge with advancing age, potentially elevating the risk of developing neurodegenerative conditions. Disrupted circadian rhythms and poor sleep can further augment systemic inflammation. Reciprocally, chronic inflammation, in turn, can impact sleep quality, creating a complex feedback loop that may deteriorate age-related neurodegenerative processes. Understanding the intricate relationships between circadian disruption, sleep, aging, neurodegeneration, and inflammation is paramount for devising targeted interventions to promote healthy aging and potentially mitigate the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.