Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Disturbances in Patients with Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome

Abstract

Disturbances were found in the sleep structure of patients with DSPS, and these disturbances were related to the discrepancy between patients and controls in the phase relationship difference between sleep and core body temperature rhythms.

An insight into the scientific background and future perspectives for the potential uses of melatonin

“…DSPD and sleep onset insomniacs have altered sleep parameters, melatonin and core body temperature as compared to control groups [129]. If the core body temperature and melatonin circadian rhythms were phase delayed, then the "wake maintenance zone" would be delayed also.…”

The etiology of delayed sleep phase disorder

“…A few studies have investigated the phase angle of entrainment in patients with DSPD [47,49,50]. Ozaki et al [47] were the first to discover significant differences between sleep onsets/offsets relative to Tmin in DSPD patients compared to healthy controls.…”

“…<InsertFig. 2around here>Current etiology: A delay in circadian phaseThe current etiology of DSPD is believed to be a significant delay in the timing of circadian rhythms[1,2,[44][45][46][47][48][49][50]. The circadian timing system exerts a strong effect on individuals' feelings of sleepiness, the time it takes them to fall asleep and the likelihood of awakening.Fig.…”

Delayed sleep phase disorder risk is associated with absenteeism and impaired functioning

“…Delayed timing of circadian rhythms has been described in DSPD patients, [9][10][11][12] along with a reported increase in the cycle length of the circadian pacemaker. 44 Altered phase relationship between circadian rhythms and the sleep-wake cycle in DSPD patients [45][46][47][48] may contribute to the clinical manifestations of the disorder; however, a more recent study reported no differences in phase relationships between DSPD patients and healthy volunteers. 10 Genetic studies have identified associations between DSPD and variants of the PER3 gene, 49 -51 though not consistently, 52 as well as the arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase gene 53 and the casein kinase I epsilon gene.…”