biostudies-literatureMonterastelli AJNHLBI NIH HHS1304647https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11801367biostudies-literatureUnknown2<h4>Introduction</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>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 befoFrontiers in sleepThe forbidden zone for sleep is more robust in adolescents compared to adults.PMC11801367R01 HL105395Monterastelli AJCrowley SJEastman CIAdams JfalseThe forbidden zone for sleep is more robust in adolescents compared to adults.<h4>Introduction</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>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 befo2024-01-01T00:00:00Z20242026-06-02T03:16:38.317Z2025-04-04T02:23:03.275ZS-EPMC118013673991705210.3389/frsle.2023.1304647