Hagenauer, M. H., Perryman, J. I., Lee, T. M., & Carskadon, M. A. (2009). Adolescent changes in the homeostatic and circadian regulation of sleep. Developmental Neuroscience, 31(4), 276-84.

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Abstract

Sleep deprivation among adolescents is epidemic. We argue that this sleep deprivation is due in part to pubertal changes in the homeostatic and circadian regulation of sleep. These changes promote a delayed sleep phase that is exacerbated by evening light exposure and incompatible with aspects of modern society, notably early school start times. In this review of human and animal literature, we demonstrate that delayed sleep phase during puberty is likely a common phenomenon in mammals, not specific to human adolescents, and we provide insight into the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon.

MeSH Terms
    Adolescent
    Adolescent Behavior/physiology*
    Animals
    Biological Clocks/physiology
    Circadian Rhythm/physiology*
    Female
    Gonadal Hormones/metabolism
    Homeostasis/physiology*
    Humans
    Light
    Male
    Photoperiod
    Puberty/physiology
    Sleep/physiology*
    Sleep Deprivation/physiopathology*

Substances
    Gonadal Hormones