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Cited by 191Circadian rhythm and melatoninSleep and related disordersSleep and Wakefulness Research

The thermophysiological cascade leading to sleep initiation in relation to phase of entrainment

Kräuchi, Kurt·2007·Sleep Medicine Reviews
DOI 10.1016/j.smrv.2007.07.001
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Abstract

This article reviews circadian thermoregulation in relation to sleep induction and phase of entrainment in the light of the comprehensive thermophysiological and chronobiological concepts of Jürgen Aschoff. The idea that temperature and sleep are interrelated is based on evolutionary history. Mammalian sleep developed in association with endothermy, and all species, independent of temporal niche, usually sleep during the circadian trough of their core body temperature (CBT) rhythm. The circadian pattern of CBT results from the balance between heat production and heat loss, the latter being relevant for sleep induction. Sleep under entrained conditions is typically initiated on the declining portion of the CBT curve when its rate of change and body heat loss is maximal. Body heat loss before lights off, via selective vasodilatation of distal skin regions, promotes sleepiness and the rapid onset of sleep. This thermophysiological effect represents the cement between the circadian clock and the sleep-wake cycle, and in turn determines phase of entrainment (Psi) and sleep onset latency (SOL). These interrelationships have been recently studied in a particular subset of the general population, mainly women, who suffer from cold hands and feet (the so-called vasospastic syndrome, VS). Women with VS exhibit not only a lower capacity to lose heat during the daytime but also a prolonged SOL, a disturbed Psi of the circadian clock with respect to the sleep-wake cycle and psychologically, a disposition to turn experienced anger inwards. This naturalistic model leads us to a more general conclusion that regulation of distal skin blood flow may have clinical relevance for insomnia, in particular sleep onset insomnia.

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  • The circadian aspect of thermoregulation is achieved through diurnal oscillations of the temperature set point in the hypothalamic preoptic area and controlled by the 'master' clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN).

    “The circadian aspect of thermoregulation is achieved through diurnal oscillations of the temperature set point in the hypothalamic preoptic area and controlled by the ‘master’ clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)53.”

    From Diurnal rhythms of wrist temperature are associated with future disease risk in the UK Biobank (2023) · cites this paper as [53]

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Authors
Kräuchi, K.
Affiliations
Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken Basel (CH)
Corresponding author
Kräuchi, Kurt
Venue
Sleep Medicine Reviews
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2007-12
Volume
11
Issue
6
Pages
439-451
ISSN
1087-0792 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.smrv.2007.07.001
OpenAlex
W2119621085
Cited by
191
References
104
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 6
FWCI
0.42
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Sleep Medicine Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
Keywords
sleep onset, core body temperature, sleep latency, vasodilation, skin blood flow, heat loss, circadian clock, sleep-wake cycle, cold hands and feet, insomnia, sleep onset insomnia, endothermy evolution
MeSH terms
Body Temperature Regulation, Circadian Rhythm, Homeostasis, Humans, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, Models, Biological, Skin Temperature, Sleep, Vasodilation

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