In the course of laboratory studies of the new drug, scientists managed to reconfigure and restart the internal clock of the body of mice. It is assumed that in the future this drug will be used in a number of diseases and conditions - from the time zone change to manic-depressive psychosis.

The drug changes the activity of the enzyme, which regulates the speed of the internal clock of the body. According to the researchers, this drug can help people whose sleep-wakefulness regime is knocked down by shift work, people suffering from depression, and even affect metabolic disorders - in particular, obesity. But the development and testing of the form of the drug, suitable for use in humans, can take years.

"This is the first drug that can adjust the broken rhythms of the body," said Andrew Loudon of Manchester University with the support of the British Council for Medical Research.

In the body of any living being there is an internal system of time, called circadian rhythms. These internal clocks regulate all life processes - from sleep in mammals to flowering in plants. The general regulation of circadian rhythms is based on changing the light and dark time of the day, and a more precise "clock setting" is performed by certain enzymes, including casein kinase-1 (KK-1).

The London team of scientists found that the experimental drug reduces the activity of the enzyme KK-1, which allows the internal clock to be restarted in mice in which circadian rhythms were previously knocked down.

Many experts point to the link between night work and the increased risk of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. On the other hand, sleep disorders are associated with mental disorders, such as depression and manic-depressive psychosis.

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