Katara Chang L&S Biological Sciences
Effect of Circadian Rhythm on Resiliency to Stress
Disturbances in circadian rhythm have been linked to health consequences such as increased risk of cancer, metabolic health, heart disease, and mental health disorders in humans. Research has also shown a connection between stress and alteration in circadian rhythm. Not all individuals, however, respond to stressors similarly. Stressors have varying effects on individuals, causing some to sustain depressed behaviors (susceptible) while others show resiliency, returning to pre-stressed status. This project will determine the shift in circadian rhythm as a response to stress, and the correlation between the degree of the shift in circadian rhythms and resiliency in mice. Using chronic social defeat stress, the mouse test subjects will undergo stress for 10 consecutive days in order to monitor their circadian rhythm patterns throughout the stress period. Resiliency will be determined through an array of behavioral tests
and analyzed using machine-aided behavior classifiers. Identifying a relationship between
circadian rhythm and resiliency allows for exploration into circadian rhythm centered treatment for chronic stress disorders like anxiety and PTSD.
Message To Sponsor
Thank you for your generous contributions towards undergraduate research. I’m excited to research circadian rhythm and resiliency to stress for its relevance in metal health. I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to both learn from and contribute to the neuroscience community.