Development of a detection method for circadian rhythm sleep disorders based on clock gene expression

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26670543
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Psychiatric science
• Research Institution: Yamaguchi University
• Principal Investigator: Akashi Makoto 山口大学, 時間学研究所, 教授 (30398119)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): TOKUDA Isao 立命館大学, 理工学部, 教授 (00261389) ; HIRANO Hitoshi 山口大学, 保健管理センター, 教授 (70228807)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 概日時計 / 時計遺伝子 / 睡眠

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Although the determination of human circadian phase requires the phase estimation based on clock gene expression rhythms, simple and effective methods in clinical settings remain undeveloped. In this study, we have optimized experimental procedures in a phase estimation method using hair follicles that we previously reported, and succeeded in dramatically increasing the measurement sensitivity for clock gene expression levels. Moreover, using this improved method, we have tried to detect "masked circadian rhythm sleep disorders", which are difficult to detect with traditional approaches such as sleep diary and actogram. Consequently, simple and rapid detection of masked circadian rhythm sleep disorders has been realized by calculating and comparing time intervals between socially-enforced time schedules (in particular waking time on work days) and estimated circadian phases in clock gene expression rhythms using hair follicles.

Free Research Field

時間生物学