The Science of Sleep [Hardcover]

The Science of Sleepprovides a thorough introduction to the scientific body of sleep research in one comprehensive volume. It examines how sleep is regulated, how it changes across the lifespan, how it differs among species and human cultures, and what functions it serves. It reviews the health impacts of short or disrupted sleep on our cognitive abilities and health, and the risks associated with shift work and other conditions affecting sleep regulation. Drawing upon research-based evidence, this is an essential source for graduate students, trainees, and medical and allied health professionals in the fields of sleep research and health.The Science of Sleepreviews our scientific understanding of sleep, summarizing current knowledge related to its regulation, its functions, and the consequences of inadequate sleep, primarily in people.The first part outlines the historical development of research on sleep and circadian rhythms, and introduces the principal methods used in human sleep and circadian rhythms research. The second part reviews the variables that affect human sleep, including development and aging, homeostatic and circadian regulators, and cultural and environmental factors. It also reviews similarities and differences in sleep in other species. The third part reviews the physiological mechanisms regulating sleep and circadian rhythms, including the roles of the circadian pacemaker, melatonin, key neurotransmitters, and other neurochemicals. It also addresses how brain mechanisms alter consciousness during sleep while permitting awareness of some environmental events. The fourth part discusses the impact of sleep duration and quality on cognitive functions, and on many aspects of human health and disease. It discusses the relations between sleep and metabolic and vascular diseases, immune system function, pain sensitivity, mood and anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease. A final part introduces models of the functionslÃW