In fruit flies, specific neurons in the brain adapt to help the insect remain alert in dangerous situations and fall asleep after a trying day. The findings could help in the development of new therapies to treat sleep disorders in humans.
Researchers identified a molecularly-defined cell population in the hypothalamus that causes a shift in the sleep-wake cycle as a result of exposure to psychostimulants.
Recovered stroke patients who suffer from sleep-wake disruptions are more likely to experience another stroke, researchers report.
Advanced sleep phase may affect as many as one in 300 people, and may be the result of a genetic trait.
Breast milk may help train the circadian clock in young babies. The hormonal composition of breast milk changes throughout the day, with cortisol levels being higher in the morning and melatonin levels being higher at night.
Researchers report when resting, people burn 10% more calories in the late afternoon and early evening than in the early morning hours.
Study identifies a direct dopamine neuron link to circadian rhythm.
A worsening of suicidal thoughts in young people has been linked to sleep disturbances. Participants of the new study who reported lots of variation of when they fall asleep also reported more incidences of insomnia and nightmares, which also lower the threshold for suicidal ideations.
Researchers have discovered a protein in the brain that responds to darkness and light to set the correct balance between sleep and wakefulness.
Researchers monitored the brain activity of roundworms as they fell asleep and woke up.
Researchers explore how how body's natural time keepers work.
Researchers have identified a brain circuit that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle.