Photograph by Bob Chirsty, '95
Dr. David Glass, professor of biological sciences at Kent State conducts pioneering research on the body's biological clock.
	PODCAST: RESETTING YOUR BODY'S CLOCK Major disruptions to the body's clock can lead to major health risks, including shortened lifespans. Listen to this podcast to learn how to reset your body's clock.
	STEPS HELP BRAIN ADJUST TO TIME CHANGE Dr. Glass spoke with ABCNews.com about his sleep research and recommended some steps for helping the brain adjust to Daylight Saving time. Read this news story.

Resetting the Body’s Clock
Professor’s research leads to healthful strategies
By Lisa Lambert , M.A. ’05

Everyone is equipped with a biological clock, a region in the brain the size of a corn kernel, which dictates our sleep-wake cycles. Those cycles, known as circadian rhythms, play a major role in our physical and mental health.

Pioneering research conducted by Dr. David Glass, Kent State professor of biological sciences, has shown the body’s clock can be reset — and that’s good news for people who work swing shifts, experience jet lag or take antidepressants.

Glass, who is known internationally as the first researcher to measure serotonin release from the brain’s biological clock region, has traded in his former territory for a new frontier in circadian rhythm research.

“We’ve come to the point where we’ve answered the questions about the role of serotonin in the body’s clock,” Glass says. “Now we’re looking at a particular neuropeptide that plays a major role in synchronizing the body’s clock and mediating behavior.”

Glass has become the first to extract, identify and measure the neuropeptide, known as NPY; in fact, he is the first to study the release of any neuropeptide important to the control center of the body’s clock in freely acting animals.

Disruptions to the body’s clock are more than minor inconveniences; they can pose serious health risks. For instance, Glass says studies have shown people working swing shifts have shortened life spans, with higher rates of alcoholism, heart disease and psychiatric problems than the general populace.

“Our overall focus is to develop ways to use NPY to manipulate the body’s clock and help alleviate problems that arise from our lifestyles,” Glass says.