Albany Medical College scientists are part of a team of researchers from several institutions to receive $3.2 million from the National Institutes of Health to study why disruptions in circadian rhythms increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

“Millions of essential workers who work night shifts are impacted by circadian disruption, but there are no proven therapies that prevent or lessen its harmful effects,” said Antonio Paul, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology at Albany Medical College, one of three scientists leading the study, in a release from Albany Med.

Circadian disruption occurs when the wake and sleep cycles don’t align with the time of day, for example when people who work night shifts sleep during the day. While this is known to increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes and rates of cardiovascular disease, the reasons why aren’t understood.

The researchers will seek to gain insight into the underlying mechanisms of circadian disruption on diabetes and atherosclerosis, a build-up in the arteries that restricts blood flow and can lead to a stroke or heart attack. Then, using mouse models, the team will test various types of interventions, including modulating light-dark patterns, medications, and genetic therapies.

“Our hope is that this research will lead to the development of effective pharmacological and/or environmental therapies,” said Paul.

The five-year grant was awarded by the NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases jointly to Paul and to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.