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Review
. 2020 Jan;51(1):567-583.
doi: 10.1111/ejn.14298. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Circadian disruption and human health: A bidirectional relationship

Sabra M Abbott  1 , Roneil G Malkani  1 , Phyllis C Zee  1
Affiliations
Review

Circadian disruption and human health: A bidirectional relationship

Sabra M Abbott et al. Eur J Neurosci. 2020 Jan.

Abstract

Circadian rhythm disorders have been classically associated with disorders of abnormal timing of the sleep-wake cycle, however circadian dysfunction can play a role in a wide range of pathology, ranging from the increased risk for cardiometabolic disease and malignancy in shift workers, prompting the need for a new field focused on the larger concept of circadian medicine. The relationship between circadian disruption and human health is bidirectional, with changes in circadian amplitude often preceding the classical symptoms of neurodegenerative disorders. As our understanding of the importance of circadian dysfunction in disease grows, we need to develop better clinical techniques for identifying circadian rhythms and also develop circadian based strategies for disease management. Overall this review highlights the need to bring the concept of time to all aspects of medicine, emphasizing circadian medicine as a prime example of both personalized and precision medicine.

Keywords: chronotherapy; melatonin; neurodegenerative disease; shift work.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
The link between circadian disruption and human health is bidirectional
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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