In a remarkable discovery that could open new doors in Alzheimer’s research, scientists from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that tweaking the body’s internal clock may protect the brain from the kind of damage seen in Alzheimer’s disease.
The study, published in Nature Aging and reported by ScienceDaily, reveals that switching off a key circadian rhythm protein in mice boosted brain-protective molecules and reduced toxic buildups linked to neurodegeneration.
The human body runs on a 24-hour rhythm known as the circadian clock — a natural timing system that regulates sleep, metabolism, and even how the brain repairs itself. But when this rhythm goes off track, it may also affect how the brain ages. Led by Dr. Erik Musiek, Professor of Neurology, and first author Dr. Jiyeon Lee, the research team discovered that disrupting communication between the brain and one particular clock protein, called REV-ERBα, could actually reduce brain damage caused by Alzheimer’s.
REV-ERBα controls daily cycles of metabolism and inflammation. When researchers blocked this protein in mice, the levels of a vital molecule called NAD+ rose significantly. NAD+ is known to support energy production, DNA repair, and cellular health — all critical in preventing age-related brain decline. Higher NAD+ levels also appeared to reduce the buildup of tau, a toxic protein that clumps in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients and disrupts communication between nerve cells.
In one part of the study, scientists deleted the REV-ERBα gene either throughout the body or only in astrocytes — star-shaped support cells that keep neurons healthy. In both cases, NAD+ levels went up, and the mice showed less brain tissue damage. In another experiment, researchers used a new drug that blocked REV-ERBα activity and found that it offered strong protection against tau-related degeneration.
“This study suggests that our biological clock isn’t just about when we sleep or wake — it may also determine how our brains age,” said Dr. Musiek. “By tuning this internal rhythm, we might one day find new ways to prevent or slow Alzheimer’s.”
The research adds to growing evidence that metabolism, inflammation, and circadian biology are deeply linked to neurodegenerative diseases. Boosting NAD+ levels through circadian regulation could become a promising strategy for maintaining brain health and fighting disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Although the findings are based on mouse models, the implications are exciting. Future treatments could involve drugs or therapies that adjust the body’s clockwork to keep the brain resilient against age-related damage.
