Topic Overview:

Psychiatric diseases like bipolar disorder, addiction disorders, and depression place enormous burdens on individuals, their families, and society as a whole. The biological basis of these disorders is poorly understood, and current treatments are often ineffective and have significant side effects. It is well recognized that the normal sleep/wake cycle, as well as other circadian rhythms, are severely disrupted in most psychiatric disorders. In addition, human genetic studies have identified polymorphisms in specific circadian genes that associate with bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and anxiety disorders.  However, the importance of these disruptions in disease manifestation and treatment remains uncertain. 

McClung uses mouse models to better understand the role of circadian genes in mood and reward regulation.  Her laboratory has found that circadian genes directly regulate key components of limbic circuitry and mood-related behavior, and mutations in these genes lead to significant mood and reward-related phenotypes. Moreover, using a novel genetic mouse model of mania, the group has identified potential new therapies for bipolar disorder. In this seminar, McClung will provide an overview of the association between circadian rhythm disruptions and psychiatric disorders and highlight some of her work on both mood and reward regulation by circadian genes.