LiFE, a multimodal circadian intervention, improves sleep, glycemic control, and recognition memory

Abstract

In mammals, sleep is regulated by the central circadian system, which responds to environmental timing cues including light, exercise and availability of food. In this study, we developed a light-, food-, and exercise-based daily lifestyle intervention (LiFE) that combines the effects of multiple circadian entrainment cues on central clock function, ultimately strengthening central clock rhythms. In wild-type (WT) mice, LiFE consolidated nocturnal activity, enhanced suprachiasmatic nucleus rhythmicity, and increased sleep time. Despite comparable caloric intake to control conditions, LiFE lowered baseline blood glucose, reduced glycemic variability, and improved glucose tolerance. We found long-term LiFE treatment improved recognition memory in WT mice. Sleep and circadian disruption are commonly observed in patients with Alzheimers disease (AD), the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. We applied long-term LiFE treatment in two AD mouse models (5xFAD and 5xFAD/PS19). Alongside a subtle reduction in AD histopathology, LiFE produced near-significant trends toward improved motor performance and recognition memory. Together, these findings support multimodal circadian chronotherapy as a non-pharmacological approach in which integrated light, feeding, and exercise entrainment promotes sleep and metabolic health.