The forbidden zone for sleep is more robust in adolescents compared to adults.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The propensity for sleep shifts later as puberty progresses. The present analysis examines whether the circadian-dependent wake maintenance zone, or forbidden zone for sleep observed in the evening just before habitual bedtime is more pronounced in late to post-pubertal adolescents compared to adults and may partly explain late sleep onset in maturing adolescents.

Methods

Forty four healthy late/post-pubertal adolescents (aged 14.3-17.8 years, 23 female) and 44 healthy adults (aged 30.8-45.8 years, 21 female) participated in an ultradian light/dark protocol for 3 days cycling between 2-h wake periods (~20 lux) and 2-h nap periods (~0 lux) without external time cues. The dim light melatonin onset (DLMO), a measure of circadian phase, was measured immediately befo

SUBMITTER: Monterastelli AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11801367 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature