title: Circadian rhythm sleep disorders.
abstract: There have been remarkable advances in our understanding of the molecular, cellular, and physiologic mechanisms underlying the regulation of circadian rhythms, and of the impact of circadian dysfunction on health and disease. This information has transformed our understanding of the effect of circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSD) on health, performance, and safety. CRSDs are caused by alterations of the central circadian timekeeping system, or a misalignment of the endogenous circadian rhythm and the external environment. This article reviews circadian biology and discusses the pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of the most commonly encountered CRSDs in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Circadian Rhythms and Sleep Research Lab, Northwestern University, 710 North Lake Shore Drive, 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Lirong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Phyllis C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Zee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014851:Wakefulness
chemical_list: D008550:Melatonin