Circadian Rhythm and Sleep Disruption: Causes, Metabolic Consequences, and Countermeasures

• Published in: Endocrine reviews Vol. 37; no. 6; pp. 584 - 608
• Main Authors: Potter, Gregory D. M., Skene, Debra J., Arendt, Josephine, Cade, Janet E., Grant, Peter J., Hardie, Laura J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Oxford University Press 01.12.2016; Copyright by The Endocrine Society; Endocrine Society
• Subjects: Biological clocks; Chronobiology Phenomena - genetics; Chronobiology Phenomena - physiology; Circadian rhythm; Circadian rhythms; Clocks; Diet; Disruption; Environmental engineering; Health problems; Humans; Metabolism; Misalignment; Population genetics; Reviews; Sleep; Sleep and wakefulness; Sleep Deprivation - etiology; Sleep Deprivation - genetics; Sleep Deprivation - metabolism; Sleep Deprivation - therapy; Sleep disorders; Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm - etiology; Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm - genetics; Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm - metabolism; Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm - therapy; Synchronism; Synchronization
• ISSN: 0163-769X; 1945-7189; 1945-7189
• DOI: 10.1210/er.2016-1083

Circadian (∼24-hour) timing systems pervade all kingdoms of life and temporally optimize behavior and physiology in humans. Relatively recent changes to our environments, such as the introduction of artificial lighting, can disorganize the circadian system, from the level of the molecular clocks that regulate the timing of cellular activities to the level of synchronization between our daily cycles of behavior and the solar day. Sleep/wake cycles are intertwined with the circadian system, and global trends indicate that these, too, are increasingly subject to disruption. A large proportion of the world's population is at increased risk of environmentally driven circadian rhythm and sleep disruption, and a minority of individuals are also genetically predisposed to circadian misalignment and sleep disorders. The consequences of disruption to the circadian system and sleep are profound and include myriad metabolic ramifications, some of which may be compounded by adverse effects on dietary choices. If not addressed, the deleterious effects of such disruption will continue to cause widespread health problems; therefore, implementation of the numerous behavioral and pharmaceutical interventions that can help restore circadian system alignment and enhance sleep will be important.