Sleep Deprivation and Circadian Disruption

Exposure Definition

Insufficient sleep duration or quality, and misalignment of sleep with circadian rhythm (e.g., shift work, social jet lag). Short sleep (<7 h in adults) and poor sleep are associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders. Circadian genes (e.g., CLOCK, PER, CRY) interact with sleep and light exposure. Adolescence is a period of natural circadian shift and often insufficient sleep; shift work in adulthood increases metabolic and cardiovascular risk.

Proxies

NameUnitMeasurementData source
Sleep durationhours/nightSelf-report or actigraphySurveys, cohorts
Sleep qualityscalePittsburgh Sleep Quality IndexSurveys

Biological Systems Affected

metabolic

Sleep restriction impairs glucose metabolism and appetite regulation; increases obesity and T2D risk

cardiovascular

Short sleep and shift work associated with hypertension and CAD

mental health

Sleep disruption is a trigger and symptom in depression and bipolar disorder

Sensitive Developmental Windows

adolescence (10-24)

Biological delay in circadian phase; early school start times; vulnerability to mood and metabolic effects

GxE Highlights

GeneDiseaseDirectionEvidence type
bdnfmajor-depressive-disorderamplifyliterature

Tissue-Specific Notes

brain— circadian and sleep regulation
adipose tissue— leptin and appetite

References

  1. 1.Spiegel K, et al. (2009). Sleep and metabolic function. Lancet Neurology. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(09)70136-0
  2. 2.Short MA, et al. (2013). Adolescent sleep and mental health. Sleep Medicine Reviews. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2012.03.007