Cited by 170Circadian rhythm and melatoninSleep and Work-Related FatigueSleep and Wakefulness Research

Amplitude Reduction and Phase Shifts of Melatonin, Cortisol and Other Circadian Rhythms after a Gradual Advance of Sleep and Light Exposure in Humans

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Dijk, Derk-Jan, Duffy, Jeanne F., Silva, Edward J., Shanahan, Theresa L., Boivin, Diane B., Czeisler, Charles A.·2012·PLoS ONE

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The phase and amplitude of rhythms in physiology and behavior are generated by circadian oscillators and entrained to the 24-h day by exposure to the light-dark cycle and feedback from the sleep-wake cycle. The extent to which the phase and amplitude of multiple rhythms are similarly affected during altered timing of light exposure and the sleep-wake cycle has not been fully characterized. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We assessed the phase and amplitude of the rhythms of melatonin, core body temperature, cortisol, alertness, performance and sleep after a perturbation of entrainment by a gradual advance of the sleep-wake schedule (10 h in 5 days) and associated light-dark cycle in 14 healthy men. The light-dark cycle consisted either of moderate intensity 'room' light (∼90-150 lux) or moderate light supplemented with bright light (∼10,000 lux) for 5 to 8 hours following sleep. After the advance of the sleep-wake schedule in moderate light, no significant advance of the melatonin rhythm was observed whereas, after bright light supplementation the phase advance was 8.1 h (SEM 0.7 h). Individual differences in phase shifts correlated across variables. The amplitude of the melatonin rhythm assessed under constant conditions was reduced after moderate light by 54% (17-94%) and after bright light by 52% (range 12-84%), as compared to the amplitude at baseline in the presence of a sleep-wake cycle. Individual differences in amplitude reduction of the melatonin rhythm correlated with the amplitude of body temperature, cortisol and alertness. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Alterations in the timing of the sleep-wake cycle and associated bright or moderate light exposure can lead to changes in phase and reduction of circadian amplitude which are consistent across multiple variables but differ between individuals. These data have implications for our understanding of circadian organization and the negative health outcomes associated with shift-work, jet-lag and exposure to artificial light.

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  • Because light exposure is an important zeitgeber for the circadian rhythm of cortisol in humans, exposure to light at night could dysregulate the HPA axis, in turn increasing the prevalence of cortisol-associated mood disorders.

    “Because light exposure is an important zeitgeber for the circadian rhythm of cortisol in humans, exposure to light at night could dysregulate the HPA axis, in turn increasing the prevalence of cortisol-associated mood disorders55.”

    From Circadian rhythm disruption and mental health (2020) · cites this paper as [55]

    The Results (Plasma cortisol phase; page unavailable) show that cortisol-rhythm timing changed differently under bright and moderate light after an advanced sleep schedule, supporting the claim that light exposure matters for human cortisol rhythms. The paper does not establish that light exposure at night dysregulates the HPA axis or increases the prevalence of cortisol-associated mood disorders; its Discussion (Reduction in amplitude of overt circadian rhythmicity; page unavailable) refers only broadly to possible negative health outcomes. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  1. [53]Smith KA Schoen MW Czeisler CA 2004 Adaptation of human pineal melatonin suppression by recent photic history. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 89 3610 3614 15240654

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Authors
Dijk, D.-J., Duffy, J. F., Silva, E. J., Shanahan, T. L., Boivin, D. B., & Czeisler, C. A.
Affiliations
Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
Corresponding author
Dijk, Derk-Jan
Venue
PLoS ONE
Published
2012-02-17
Volume
7
Issue
2
Pages
e30037
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2107315101
Cited by
170
References
59
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 2
FWCI
4.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard (DASH) (Harvard University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Open Research (University of Surrey) (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Surrey Research Insight Open Access (The University of Surrey) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (HFP01601, NAG91035)
  • Eli Lilly and Company
  • Sanofi
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital (M01 RR02635)
  • CHDI Foundation
  • Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum
  • National Space Biomedical Research Institute (HFP01601)
  • Transport Canada
  • Servier
  • National Institutes of Health (NCRR-GCRC-M01-RR02635, RR‐02635)
  • Directorate for Biological Sciences
  • National Institute on Aging (P01AG009524)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R01 MH45130, R01MH045130, MH45130)
  • National Center for Research Resources (RR02635, M01 RR 02635, NCRR-GCRC-M01-RR02635, GCRC-M01-RR02635, M01RR002635)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
Keywords
circadian rhythm, melatonin, cortisol, core body temperature, alertness, light exposure, circadian phase shift, individual differences, shift work, jet lag, artificial light
MeSH terms
Adult, Body Temperature, Circadian Rhythm, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Light, Male, Melatonin, Sleep, Time Factors, Wakefulness, Biomarkers, Polysomnography

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