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Aging human circadian rhythms: conventional wisdom may not always be rightThis review discusses the ways in which the circadian rhythms of older people are different from those of younger adults. After a brief discussion of clinical issues, the review describes the conventional wisdom regarding age-related changes in circadian rhythms. These can be summarized as four assertions regarding what happens to people as they get older: 1) the amplitude of their circadian rhythms reduces, 2) the phase of their circadian rhythms becomes earlier, 3) their natural free-running period (tau) shortens, and 4) their ability to tolerate abrupt phase shifts (e.g., from jet travel or night work) worsens. The review then discusses the empirical evidence for and against these assertions and discusses some alternative explanations. The conclusions are that although older people undoubtedly have earlier circadian phases than younger adults, and have more trouble coping with shift work and jet lag, evidence for the assertions about rhythm amplitude and tau are, at best, mixed.
Document ID
20050240633
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Monk, Timothy H.
(Clinical Neuroscience Research Center, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 2005
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of biological rhythms
Volume: 20
Issue: 4
ISSN: 0748-7304
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: AG-020677
CONTRACT_GRANT: AG-13396
CONTRACT_GRANT: RR-00056
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Discipline Space Human Factors
Non-NASA Center
Review

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