[Sleep and biological clock in the elderly].
This article gives an overview of factors underlying age-related changes in sleep wake behavior in healthy older humans. The self-regulation of the sleep-wake cycle [sleep-wake homeostasis] and the circadian clock, represent primary factors responsible for changes in sleep with age. As a matter of fact older healthy adults have a more superficial and less consolidated sleep and go to bed earlier compared to younger ages. Furthermore, sleep in healthy older people is more vulnerable to disturbances such as circadian desynchronisation and the lack of zeitgebers [insufficient light during the day].
Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institut für Physiologie, Arbeitsgruppe Schlafforschung und Klinische Chronobiologie, Berlin.
Mirjam
M
Münch
D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D057906:Circadian Clocks / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology