Impacts of artificial light at night on sleep: A review and prospectus

Natural cycles of light and darkness govern the timing of most aspects of animal behavior and physiology. Artificial light at night (ALAN)-a recent and pervasive form of pollution-can mask natural photoperiodic cues and interfere with biological rhythms. One such rhythm vulnerable to perturbation is...

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Published inJournal of experimental zoology. Part A, Ecological and integrative physiology Vol. 329; no. 8-9; p. 409
Main Authors Aulsebrook, Anne E, Jones, Therésa M, Mulder, Raoul A, Lesku, John A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.10.2018
Subjects
Animals
Animals, Wild - physiology
Circadian Rhythm - radiation effects
Environmental Exposure
Humans
Light - adverse effects
Lighting - adverse effects
Sleep - radiation effects
Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm - etiology
anthropogenic light
circadian rhythms
pollution
urbanization
ALAN
electroencephalogram
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Summary:Natural cycles of light and darkness govern the timing of most aspects of animal behavior and physiology. Artificial light at night (ALAN)-a recent and pervasive form of pollution-can mask natural photoperiodic cues and interfere with biological rhythms. One such rhythm vulnerable to perturbation is the sleep-wake cycle. ALAN may greatly influence sleep in humans and wildlife, particularly in animals that sleep predominantly at night. There has been some recent evidence for impacts of ALAN on sleep, but critical questions remain. Some of these can be addressed by adopting approaches already entrenched in sleep research. In this paper, we review the current evidence for impacts of ALAN on sleep, highlight gaps in our understanding, and suggest opportunities for future research.
ISSN:2471-5646
DOI:10.1002/jez.2189