THE ROLE OF CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS IN HEALTHY AGING AND LIFESPAN REGULATION

  • Unique Paper ID: 173397
  • PageNo: 366-373
  • Abstract:
  • Aging is associated with numerous physiological and behavioral changes, including significant alterations in sleep timing, duration, and quality. These changes are closely tied to the intricate interaction between the circadian timing system and the sleep-wake homeostatic system, which collectively regulate sleep's timing, structure, and restorative functions. The circadian timing system, primarily governed by the hypothalamus's suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), is highly sensitive to external environmental cues such as light. However, with aging, this system undergoes several modifications, including reduced amplitude of circadian rhythms, phase advances (earlier timing of biological rhythms), and diminished responsiveness to zeitgebers, particularly light. These changes contribute to common sleep disturbances in older adults, such as insomnia, fragmented sleep, reduced slow-wave sleep, and early morning awakenings. Additionally, age-related circadian dysregulation is associated with an increased risk of chronic conditions, including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, immune dysfunction, and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s disease. Disruptions in circadian regulation also influence mood disorders, cognitive decline, and overall well-being. In this review, we explore the key features of the human circadian timing system, the mechanisms underlying age-related circadian changes, and their broader implications for sleep health, cognitive function, and disease risk. A deeper understanding of these interactions may pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies, such as chronotherapy, light therapy, melatonin supplementation, and lifestyle interventions, to mitigate age-related sleep and circadian disruptions. These approaches could ultimately enhance health span, improve sleep quality, and promote overall well-being in aging populations.

Copyright & License

Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

BibTeX

@article{173397,
        author = {Ms Anushwini Devanand Thingale and Ms Sanjna Gopal Ghate and Mr Banjara jitesh gotu and Ms Sima K Tadvi},
        title = {THE ROLE OF CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS IN HEALTHY AGING AND LIFESPAN REGULATION},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {11},
        number = {10},
        pages = {366-373},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=173397},
        abstract = {Aging is associated with numerous physiological and behavioral changes, including significant alterations in sleep timing, duration, and quality. These changes are closely tied to the intricate interaction between the circadian timing system and the sleep-wake homeostatic system, which collectively regulate sleep's timing, structure, and restorative functions. The circadian timing system, primarily governed by the hypothalamus's suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), is highly sensitive to external environmental cues such as light. However, with aging, this system undergoes several modifications, including reduced amplitude of circadian rhythms, phase advances (earlier timing of biological rhythms), and diminished responsiveness to zeitgebers, particularly light. These changes contribute to common sleep disturbances in older adults, such as insomnia, fragmented sleep, reduced slow-wave sleep, and early morning awakenings. Additionally, age-related circadian dysregulation is associated with an increased risk of chronic conditions, including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, immune dysfunction, and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s disease. Disruptions in circadian regulation also influence mood disorders, cognitive decline, and overall well-being. In this review, we explore the key features of the human circadian timing system, the mechanisms underlying age-related circadian changes, and their broader implications for sleep health, cognitive function, and disease risk. A deeper understanding of these interactions may pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies, such as chronotherapy, light therapy, melatonin supplementation, and lifestyle interventions, to mitigate age-related sleep and circadian disruptions. These approaches could ultimately enhance health span, improve sleep quality, and promote overall well-being in aging populations.},
        keywords = {},
        month = {March},
        }

Cite This Article

Thingale, M. A. D., & Ghate, M. S. G., & gotu, M. B. J., & Tadvi, M. S. K. (2025). THE ROLE OF CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS IN HEALTHY AGING AND LIFESPAN REGULATION. International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology (IJIRT), 11(10), 366–373.

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