Variations in the sleep–wake cycle from childhood to adulthood: chronobiological perspectives

Abstract

Changes in the sleep-wake cycle across development from childhood to adulthood, typically involve a steady shortening of the sleep period and a delay of sleep phase, with a period of more rapid change across adolescence. Accompanying these changes is the maturation of neuroendocrine rhythms such as melatonin, cortisol, and pubertal hormones. These endogenous rhythms are closely associated with behavioral changes in rest and activity rhythms, although environmental factors such as light exposure and academic and social demands likely play an interactive role. Other behavioral aspects, such as physical activity and eating behaviors, are also associated with changes in sleep-wake rhythms, and may be mediational factors in the development of physical illnesses. The sleep-wake cycle and related factors are implicated in the development of mental illnesses. There are several potential avenues of future research that may be valuable in terms of improving interventions and treatments for both mental and physical illnesses.

Sleep Deprivation and Insomnia in Adolescence: Implications for Mental Health

“…Changes in endogenous circadian rhythms are associated with the sleep–wake modifications occurring during adolescence [ 37 ]. Of note, profound modifications in endogenous circadian rhythms characterize the transition from childhood to adulthood ( Figure 1 ) [ 37 ]. A landmark modification involves melatonin rhythms, which are delayed with puberty [ 13 ].…”

“…During adolescence, cortisol levels increase and follow a flatter rhythm [ 41 ]. Finally, data on changes in the circadian rhythms of body temperature suggest that the rhythms may be delayed during adolescence, with a delayed timing of the body temperature rhythm associated with eveningness in adolescents [ 37 ].…”

“…Overall, the combination of biological, environmental, and psychosocial factors that interact with the critical sleep regulatory systems determines the adolescents’ well-documented tendency towards eveningness [ 37 ]. From puberty onwards, chronotype is gradually delayed, reaching its peak rate of change at around 20 years old and then advancing across the lifespan [ 50 , 51 ].…”

Examining childhood obesity through the lens of developmental psychopathology: Framing the issues to guide best practices in research and intervention.

“…This type of research is important for developing multicomponent interventions that address interrelated behaviors that change across development (Chaput, Saunders, & Carson, 2017). In addition, intervention targets may be more developmentally informed: for example, among adolescents, evidence of effectiveness may be defined as maintenance of school-age physical activity levels (Dumith, Gigante, Domingues, & Kohl, 2011); or in the sleep domain, promoting relative regularity in sleep-wake times and/or extended sleep duration (e.g., school start-time policies that allow for later morning waking; Hickie et al, 2015). DP-informed research could also aid in developing screening tools that identify children who are exhibiting meaningful, age-atypical behavior changes and devoting resources to reestablishing positive trajectories.…”

“…A DP-informed approach to research could help define when and whether interventions to address such behavior may be needed, and for whom. Similarly, sleep habits undergo dramatic transformation across adolescence (Hickie, Carpenter, & Robillard, 2015) and poor sleep health (e.g., short duration, later sleep timing) has been associated with obesity risk. Yet, mechanisms of association are not well-articulated and not all adolescents who demonstrate such sleep habits develop obesity (Meldrum & Restivo, 2014).…”