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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
10:16
Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World
Published on: April 7, 2020
Sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances: multiple genes and multiple phenotypes
Katharina Wulff1, Kate Porcheret, Emma Cussans
1Circadian and Visual Neuroscience, Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, University of Oxford, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK. Katharina.Wulff@eye.ox.ac.uk
Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
|May 9, 2009
Summary
Sleep regulation involves circadian rhythms and homeostatic processes, influencing brain systems and causing individual variations. Understanding genetic and environmental factors in sleep is complex but crucial for physiology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sleep Science
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Sleep is governed by circadian and homeostatic mechanisms.
- These systems regulate brain structures and neurotransmitters.
- Individual variations and sleep abnormalities in disorders are common.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize recent advancements in sleep regulation research.
- To identify future research needs for a comprehensive understanding of sleep.
- To explore genetic and environmental influences on normal and abnormal sleep.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on sleep regulation.
- Analysis of circadian and homeostatic sleep processes.
- Discussion of genetic and environmental factors impacting sleep.
Main Results:
- Sleep regulation is complex, involving interplay between circadian and homeostatic processes.
- Significant individual variability exists in sleep timing and propensity.
- Sleep disturbances are prevalent in psychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions.
Conclusions:
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complexities of sleep regulation.
- Distinguishing genetic from environmental contributions to sleep is essential.
- A deeper understanding of sleep physiology is fundamental for health and disease.
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