Circadian phase, dynamics of subjective sleepiness and sensitivity to blue light in young adults complaining of a delayed sleep schedule

May 20, 2017Sleep medicine

Sleepiness patterns, body clock timing, and response to blue light in young adults with late sleep schedules

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Abstract

Delayed sleep subjects exhibited a later circadian phase compared to controls.

Delayed sleep subjects showed a slower increase in subjective sleepiness during the late evening.
No difference was observed in non-visual sensitivity to blue light between the two groups.
A positive correlation was found between melatonin suppression and circadian phase in the delayed sleep group.
Factors contributing to delayed sleep schedules may include a late circadian phase and increased sensitivity to blue light.

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OBJECTIVE: To assess factors that might contribute to a delayed sleep schedule in young adults with sub-clinical features of delayed sleep phase disorder.

METHODS: Two groups of 14 young adults (eight women) were compared: one group complaining of a delayed sleep schedule and a control group with an earlier bedtime and no complaint. For one week, each subject maintained a target bedtime reflecting their habitual sleep schedule. Subjects were then admitted to the laboratory for the assessment of circadian phase (dim light melatonin onset), subjective sleepiness, and non-visual light sensitivity. All measures were timed relative to each participant's target bedtime. Non-visual light sensitivity was evaluated using subjective sleepiness and salivary melatonin during 1.5-h exposure to blue light, starting one hour after target bedtime.

RESULTS: Compared to control subjects, delayed subjects had a later circadian phase and a slower increase of subjective sleepiness in the late evening. There was no group difference in non-visual sensitivity to blue light, but we found a positive correlation between melatonin suppression and circadian phase within the delayed group.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a late circadian phase, a slow build-up of sleep need, and an increased circadian sensitivity to blue light contribute to the complaint of a delayed sleep schedule. These findings provide targets for strategies aiming to decreasing the severity of a sleep delay and the negative consequences on daytime functioning and health.

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Circadian phase, dynamics of subjective sleepiness and sensitivity to blue light in young adults complaining of a delayed sleep schedule

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