The effects of self-selected light-dark cycles and social constraints on human sleep and circadian timing: a modeling approach.

ABSTRACT: Why do we go to sleep late and struggle to wake up on time? Historically, light-dark cycles were dictated by the solar day, but now humans can extend light exposure by switching on artificial lights. We use a mathematical model incorporating effects of light, circadian rhythmicity and sleep homeostasis to provide a quantitative theoretical framework to understand effects of modern patterns of light consumption on the human circadian system. The model shows that without artificial light humans wakeup at dawn. Artificial light delays circadian rhythmicity and preferred sleep timing and compromises synchronisation to the solar day when wake-times are not enforced. When wake-times are enforced by social constraints, such as work or school, artificial light induces a mismatch between sleep timi

SUBMITTER: Skeldon AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5366875 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature