April 21, 2017.
According to a study conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Edinburgh, UK, a group of cells in the retina are responsible for jet lag syndrome.
The origin of jet lag is in the eye
Travelers who move to another time zone may have so-called “jet lag” syndrome, which is characterized by severe fatigue, loss of appetite and general discomfort. Until now, it was not known exactly where this discomfort came from, but British researchers have just found its origin. In a study published in the Journal of Physiology, they explain that it would come from a group of cells located in the retina.
According to this work, certain cells in the eye act directly on the biological clock. They are indeed the ones that send signals to the area of the brain that is responsible for coordinating circadian rhythms, our internal temporal mechanism. This communication takes place through molecules including vasopressin. By controlling vasopressin levels, retinal cells alter circadian rhythms.
Intervene on the internal temporal mechanism
This discovery paves the way for the implementation of new treatments that would act on vasopressin levels. ” Our work shows that there is a potentially new pharmacological solution to modify our internal biological clock », Explains Professor Mike Ludwig who led this work. Future research will focus on the development of eye drops capable of eliminating jet lag.
This new treatment would not be useful only for people who spend a lot of time on airplanes. It could also be useful for those who work staggered hours and who end up suffering from the same symptoms as those of jet lag. Ultimately, jet lag can lead to the emergence of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases or even the appearance of certain cancers.
Marine Rondot
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