Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders

Dec 15, 2006Chest

Disorders that disrupt the body's natural sleep-wake cycle

AI simplified

Circadian Biology on OpenScience ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Abstract

Circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSD) may occur due to misalignment between internal timing and the 24-hour environment.

Humans have natural circadian rhythms regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus.
Social and environmental cues help align these rhythms with the external world.
CRSD can manifest as insomnia or hypersomnia and are often underrecognized.
Behavioral and environmental factors are commonly involved in these disorders.
A multimodal treatment approach is usually required to synchronize circadian rhythms and improve sleep quality.
Advances in understanding the biological mechanisms of circadian rhythm may enhance diagnostic and treatment options for CRSD.

AI simplified

Humans exhibit endogenous circadian rhythms that are regulated by the master circadian clock of the body, the suprachiasmatic nucleus. These endogenous circadian rhythms are aligned to the outside world by social and environmental cues. Circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSD) occur when there is an alteration of the internal timing mechanism or a misalignment between sleep and the 24-h social and physical environment. CRSD are often underrecognized yet should be considered in the differential of patients presenting with symptoms of insomnia and/or hypersomnia. Because behavioral and environmental factors often are involved in the development and maintenance of these conditions, a multimodal treatment approach of behavioral and/or pharmacologic approaches is usually required to synchronize a patient's circadian rhythm to the 24-h environment, consolidate sleep, and improve alertness. Rapid advances in our understanding of the physiologic, cellular, and molecular basis of circadian rhythm and sleep regulation will likely lead to improved diagnostic tools and treatments for CRSD.

Full Text

Full text is available at the source.

View full text (XML) ↗View full text ↗

Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders

Abstract

Full Text

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

what lands in your inbox each week:

Recent issues from the circadian biology brief

Abstract

Full Text

Related papers

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

what lands in your inbox each week:

Recent issues from the circadian biology brief