Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders: Linking Circadian Misalignment to Adverse Health Outcomes

The document discusses the impact of circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders (CRSWDs) on health, highlighting that disruptions in sleep-wake cycles can lead to various health issues, including psychiatric and metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. It is estimated that 15-30% of US adults suffer from sleep dysregulation, contributing to significant economic losses. The paper emphasizes the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms linking the sleep homeostat and the circadian clock, which are still not fully understood. Akashi and colleagues have proposed a novel method for diagnosing CRSWDs by measuring circadian gene oscillations in hair follicle cells to estimate an individual's circadian phase. This can help distinguish circadian-related sleep conditions from other sleep issues. They identified a new type of CRSWD, latent circadian-related sleep-wake disorder (LCRSWD), where individuals experience sleep problems due to forced synchronization of sleep timing with social activities against their circadian-driven sleepiness. The study suggests that treatments for CRSWDs, such as exposure to bright light or melatonin, can be effective once the disorder is accurately diagnosed. The ability to measure in vivo circadian phase is significant for both clinical diagnosis and research, as it can lead to improved personalized medicine and public health. The author declares no conflicts of interest in the preparation of this commentary.