Body clock disruption linked to mood disorders in youth, study finds

Ever faced a mood disorder? While you blame it to be 'one of those days', there could be a way to get it treated, as per experts. 

 

Researchers from Australia's University of Sydney observed that among the younger generation who sought help with their mental health issues, they also had disrupted body clocks, similar to that of a 'jet lag'. This also suggests that a treatment to correct the body clock might just become helpful to treat mood disorders. 

 

"We analysed participants' core body temperature, cortisol levels and melatonin levels, which we know play important roles in how our bodies manage the circadian rhythm, our 24-hour cycles which regulate things like wakefulness and sleep," said lead researcher Joanne Carpenter, a research fellow at the University of Sydney, PTI reported. 

 

The study, published in the Journal of Biological Rhythms, looked at two groups of participants aged 16-35, the first group with individuals who approached mental health clinics for treatment and the second group with no history of mental illness. 

 

Later, Melatonin and cortisol levels were taken from the participants in the lead up to sleep and after waking up. It was found that 23 per cent of mental health patients showed signs that were similar to the disruption experienced when crossing time zones or doing shift work. 

 

As per the researchers, the study underscores the notion that disrupted sleep-wake cycles could enable the onset or illness course among youth with emerging major mood disorders. 

 

"Our findings suggest we might need to think differently about what kinds of treatments we're giving people with mood disorders, and whether we should be targeting body clocks as another option for managing these conditions," said Co-author Jacob Crouse. 

Health