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Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health have discovered a protein called Tenm3 that plays a crucial role in stabilizing circadian rhythms in mice. The protein buffers the brain's response to light, which has significant implications for the treatment of sleep disorders and jet lag in humans. Circadian rhythms are responsible for regulating sleep, alertness, and other cyclic behaviors, and disruptions to these rhythms can lead to health problems. By understanding the role of Tenm3, scientists hope to develop interventions for sleep disorders and jet lag that will benefit human health

Previous studies have linked disturbances in circadian rhythms to increased risks of cancer, depression, and other medical conditions. The protein Tenm3 helps wire the brain during neural development to allow for stable responses to circadian rhythm challenges. The researchers genetically altered mice to prevent Tenm3 production, which resulted in fewer connections between the retina and the SCN, the control center for circadian rhythms. The mice without Tenm3 exhibited faster adjustment to changes in light exposure, indicating heightened sensitivity to light cues necessary for setting or resetting the circadian clock

These findings suggest that Tenm3 helps wire the brain to maintain stable circadian rhythms even when light exposure is variable. This discovery may eventually lead to improved diagnostics and treatments for sleep disorders and jet lag in humans.