Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Adolescence

• Published in: Current sleep medicine reports Vol. 5; no. 4; pp. 181 - 192
• Main Authors: Tarokh, Leila, Short, Michelle, Crowley, Stephanie J., Fontanellaz-Castiglione, Chiara E. G., Carskadon, Mary A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.12.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Cardiology; Circadian rhythm; Family Medicine; General Practice; Internal Medicine; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neurology; Otorhinolaryngology; Psychiatry; Section Editor; Sleep and Development (L Tarokh; Social networks; Students; Teenagers; Topical Collection on Sleep and Development; United States > US; Singapore; Circadian rhythms; Sleep need; Cognition; Sleep; Health; Adolescent
• ISSN: 2198-6401; 2198-6401
• DOI: 10.1007/s40675-019-00155-w

Purpose of Review The purpose of this review is to synthesize the current evidence regarding biological changes to the regulation of sleep-wake behavior in adolescence, summarize the impact of environmental factors (e.g., media use, school start times) on sleep, and discuss the implication of these biological and behavioral changes for adolescent emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Recent Findings Although our basic understanding of the sleep regulatory process in adolescence has not shifted in recent years, emerging findings highlight the influence of environmental factors (e.g., media use) on sleep behavior. Furthermore, a flurry of recent experimental studies has bolstered our understanding of the influence of short sleep on cognitive and emotional functioning. Despite these advances, longitudinal data elucidating whether there are maturational changes in the impact to sleep loss on adolescent development are largely absent. Summary A confluence of biological and environmental factors leads to short and ill-timed sleep among adolescents. Given the importance of sleep for the cognitive, emotional, and physical health in adolescence, the high prevalence of sleep loss in this population represents a public health issue.