Effects of Circadian Homeostasis on Recovery After Spinal Cord in Mice
by Yegene Lee
Faculty Advisor: Andrew Gaudet, PhD
Disrupted circadian rhythms result in various negative health outcomes, including unstable hormone levels, increased chance of tumor progression, and shortened life expectancy. Prominent in lower SES, spinal cord injury (SCI) is a relatively understudied health concern with high mortality rates and is responsible for causing dysregulation of circadian rhythms. The study of time-restricted feeding (TRF) manipulates the condition of circadian homeostasis in mouse model with SCI. We hypothesize that stabilized circadian rhythms, created by restricted feeding behavior, will lead to amelioration in SCI symptoms. To illustrate the effect of homeostasis on liver clocks, the study is designed to measure the restoration of both metabolic health and improvement in neurologic symptoms of SCI.