@article{ref1,
title="Working around the clock: is a person's endogenous circadian timing for optimal neurobehavioral functioning inherently task-dependent?",
journal="Clocks and sleep",
year="2022",
author="Muck, Rachael A. and Hudson, Amanda N. and Honn, Kimberly A. and Gaddameedhi, Shobhan and Van Dongen, Hans P. A.",
volume="4",
number="1",
pages="23-36",
abstract="Neurobehavioral task performance is modulated by the circadian and homeostatic processes of sleep/wake regulation. Biomathematical modeling of the temporal dynamics of these processes and their interaction allows for prospective prediction of performance impairment in shift-workers and provides a basis for fatigue risk management in 24/7 operations. It has been reported, however, that the impact of the circadian rhythm-and in particular its timing-is inherently task-dependent, which would have profound implications for our understanding of the temporal dynamics of neurobehavioral functioning and the accuracy of biomathematical model predictions. We investigated this issue in a laboratory study designed to unambiguously dissociate the influences of the circadian and homeostatic processes on neurobehavioral performance, as measured during a constant routine protocol preceded by three days on either a simulated night shift or a simulated day shift schedule. Neurobehavioral functions were measured every 2 h using three functionally distinct assays: a digit symbol substitution test, a psychomotor vigilance test, and the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale. After dissociating the circadian and homeostatic influences and accounting for inter-individual variability, peak circadian performance occurred in the late biological afternoon (in the &quot;wake maintenance zone&quot;) for all three neurobehavioral assays. Our results are incongruent with the idea of inherent task-dependent differences in the endogenous circadian impact on performance. Rather, our results suggest that neurobehavioral functions are under top-down circadian control, consistent with the way they are accounted for in extant biomathematical models.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2624-5175",
doi="10.3390/clockssleep4010005",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/clockssleep4010005"
}