Sonja Johann

Dr. Sonja Johann


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
1 May 2021 in Neuroscience
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
CHCarmen Hummel
Carmen Hummel
OLOmid Leylamian
Omid Leylamian
APAnna Pösch
Anna Pösch
JWJoachim Weis
Joachim Weis
EAEleonora Aronica
Eleonora Aronica
SJSonja Johann
Sonja Johann

12 July 2023 in Cells
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
PKPikria Ketelauri
Pikria Ketelauri
KSKaterina Scharov
Katerina Scharov
Charlotte von GallCharlotte von Gall
Charlotte von Gall
SJSonja Johann
Sonja Johann
In mammals, the circadian system controls various physiological processes to maintain metabolism, behavior, and immune function during a daily 24 h cycle. Although driven by a cell-autonomous core clock in the hypothalamus, rhythmic activities are entrained to external cues, such as environmental lighting conditions. Exposure to artificial light at night (ALAN) can cause circadian disruption and thus is linked to an increased occurrence of civilization diseases in modern society. Moreover, alterations of circadian rhythms and dysregulation of immune responses, including inflammasome activation, are common attributes of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease. Although there is evidence that the inflammasome in the hippocampus is activated by stress, the direct effect of circadian disruption on inflammasome activation remains poorly understood. In the present study, we aimed to analyze whether exposure to constant light (LL) affects inflammasome activation in the mouse hippocampus. In addition to decreased circadian power and reduced locomotor activity, we found cleaved caspase 1 significantly elevated in the hippocampus of mice exposed to LL. However, we did not find hallmarks of inflammasome priming or cleavage of pro-interleukins. These findings suggest that acute circadian disruption leads to an assembled “ready to start” inflammasome, which may turn the brain more vulnerable to additional aversive stimuli.