title: Circadian rhythm sleep disorders.
abstract: Individuals who have circadian rhythm sleep disorders present with symptoms of insomnia or excessive sleepiness and complain of an inability to sleep at their desired time. Although the primary etiology of these disorders is a misalignment between the endogenous circadian clock and the external environment, social and behavioral factors can also play important roles in perpetuating or exacerbating these disorders. Currently, the management of circadian rhythm disorders is limited to the use of bright light and melatonin to realign the circadian clock with the desired sleep time.However, as the understanding of the physiologic and genetic basis of sleep and circadian rhythm regulation advances, even more practical and effective treatments should become available.
authors.affiliation: Center for Sleep and Circadian Biology, Northwestern University, 2205 Tech Drive, Hogan Hall 2-160, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. k-reid@northwestern.edu
authors.forename: Kathryn J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Helen J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Burgess
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011320:Primary Health Care; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D008550:Melatonin