Reinforcing the Body’s Internal Clock May Boost Stroke Recovery

Back on Track: Some of us hate routine; others need it to function. Love it or hate it, there’s no arguing against the long list of mental and physical benefits of maintaining a routine — improved sleep, reduced stress and anxiety, and increased productivity, just to name a few. New research adds to the list: Reinforcing the body’s natural routine might help stroke patients recover quicker and better.

The Study: Published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the study found that strengthening the body’s natural circadian rhythms may improve recovery after stroke. The researchers used interventions such as time-restricted feeding, timed light exposure, melatonin, and a drug that targets the circadian clock in mouse models of stroke. Even though the interventions began three days post-stroke, they enhanced the brain’s glymphatic system, which clears waste and inflammatory molecules. The mice showed better motor recovery, smaller brain lesions, and lower inflammation than untreated animals.

The Takeaway: While the findings have not yet been tested in humans, they suggest that restoring healthy daily rhythms could become a promising addition to stroke rehabilitation, potentially extending the window for effective recovery.

Keep in Mind: This study was performed on mice, so the results don’t necessarily translate to people who have suffered strokes.