Hibernation awakens interest for drug discovery

The heartbeat of a ground squirrel can go from 110 beats per minute in sleep to 420 bpm fleeing from a predator to a sluggish 3–4 bpm during hibernation. They periodically arouse from torpor, the fall in metabolism behind hibernation. This puts extreme pressure on their cardiac system. Some ground squirrels can remain in their burrows without eating for six months. Their cells almost cease metabolising and their digestive system retracts. Even brain connections fade. Sometimes they might only breathe once a minute. Yet their restart is equally impressive. 

This ability to enter standby mode and then revive has attracted attention. The lead molecules of one company, Sulfateq, aim to treat Alzheimer’s disease, chronic heart failure, sepsis and chronic kidney disease.