Circadian phase in adults of contrasting ages.

There is evidence that aging may impair phase-shifting responses to light synchronizers, which could lead to disturbed or malsynchronized circadian rhythms. To explore this hypothesis, 62 elder participants (age, 58 to 84 years) and 25 young adults (age, 19 to 40 years) were studied, first with baseline 1-wk wrist actigraphy at home and then by 72 h in-laboratory study using an ultra-short sleep-wake cycle. Subjects were awake for 60 minutes in 50 lux followed by 30 minutes of darkness for sleep. Saliva samples were collected for melatonin, and urine samples were collected for aMT6s (a urinary metabolite of melatonin) and free cortisol every 90 minutes. Oral temperatures were also measured every 90 minutes. The timing of the circadian rhythms was not significantly more variable among the elders. The times of lights-out and wake-up at home and urinary free cortisol occurred earlier among elders, but the acrophases (cosinor analysis-derived peak time) of the circadian rhythm of salivary melatonin, urinary aMT6s, and oral temperature were not significantly phase-advanced among elders. The estimated duration of melatonin secretion was 9.9 h among elders and 8.4 h among young adults (p < 0.025), though the estimated half-life of blood melatonin was shorter among elders (p < 0.025), and young adults had higher saliva melatonin and urinary aMT6s levels. In summary, there was no evidence for circadian desynchronization associated with aging, but there was evidence of some rearrangement of the internal phase-angles among the studied circadian rhythms.

Twenty-four-hour pattern of intraocular pressure in the aging population.

PURPOSE: To characterize the 24-hour pattern of intraocular pressure (IOP) in a sample of the aging human population. METHODS: Twenty-one healthy volunteers 50 to 69 years of age were housed in a sleep laboratory for 24 hours. Experimental conditions were strictly controlled with a 16-hour light period and an 8-hour dark period. Sleep was encouraged in the dark period. Intraocular pressure was measured using a pneumatonometer every 2 hours (total of 12 times). Measurements were taken in both the sitting position and the supine position during the light/wake period but only in the supine position during the dark period. RESULTS: When the sitting IOP data from the light/wake period and the supine IOP data from the dark period were considered, elevation and reduction of IOP occurred around the scheduled lights-off and lights-on transitions, respectively. Mean IOP in the dark period was significantly higher than mean IOP in the light/wake period. The trough appeared at the end of the light/wake period, and the peak appeared at the beginning of the dark period. The magnitude of trough-peak difference was 8.6+/-0.8 mm Hg (mean +/- SEM). Cosine fits of 24-hour IOP data showed a significant 24-hour rhythm. When IOP data from just the supine position were analyzed, the trough-peak IOP difference was 3.4+/-0.7 mm Hg, with similar clock times for the trough and the peak. Cosine fits of supine IOP data showed no statistically significant 24 hour rhythm. CONCLUSIONS: Nocturnal elevation of IOP occurred in this sample of the aging population. The trough of IOP appeared at the end of the light/wake period, and the peak appeared at the beginning of the dark period. The main factor in the nocturnal IOP elevation appeared to be the shift from daytime upright posture to supine posture at night.

Elevation of human intraocular pressure at night under moderate illumination.

PURPOSE: An endogenous elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) occurs at night in healthy young adults. The authors studied whether or not this IOP elevation can be detected under moderate illumination. METHODS: Twenty-five healthy volunteers, ages 18 to 25 years, were housed overnight in a sleep laboratory under a strictly controlled light-dark environment. Intraocular pressure was measured in the supine position every 2 hours, using a pneumatonometer. An 8-hour sleep period was assigned to each volunteer according to individual's accustomed sleep cycle. In the early part of this assigned period, sleep was encouraged with room lights off. Researchers performed IOP measurements at two time points with the aid of night vision goggles. In the middle to the late part of the assigned period, lights were turned on twice for a 1-hour interval. The light intensity was the same as before the bedtime. At the ending of each light period, IOP was measured under illumination. RESULTS: Average IOP was significantly higher in the assigned sleep period versus outside the period. The trough of mean IOP occurred just before the bedtime, and then IOP gradually increased and peaked at the end of the 8-hour assigned sleep period. The difference between the trough and peak IOP was 3.5 +/- 0.7 mm Hg (mean +/- SEM, n = 25). Within the assigned sleep period, the average IOP determined under illumination was significantly higher than the average IOP preceding the illumination. CONCLUSIONS: Elevation of IOP occurred during the assigned sleep period with two 1-hour light exposures of moderate intensity. Environmental light at night had no significant effect on the nocturnal IOP elevation in healthy young adults.

Nocturnal elevation of intraocular pressure in young adults.

PURPOSE: To distinguish 24-hour (circadian) and postural effects on intraocular pressure (IOP) in healthy young adults. METHODS: Thirty-three volunteers were housed in a sleep laboratory for 1 day under a strictly controlled 16-hour light and 8-hour dark environment. Sleep was encouraged in the dark period. Intraocular pressure was measured in each eye every 2 hours using a pneumatonometer. Researchers used night-vision goggles to perform IOP measurements in the dark, while the subject's light exposure was minimized. In the first group of 12 subjects, measurements were taken with subjects in the sitting position during the light-wake period and supine during the dark period. In the second group of 21 subjects, all IOP measurements were taken with the subjects supine. RESULTS: Average IOP was significantly higher in the dark period than in the light-wake period in both groups. The lowest IOP occurred in the last light-wake measurement, and the peak IOP occurred in the last dark measurement. The trough-peak difference in IOP was 8.2+/-1.4 mm Hg (mean +/- SEM) in the first group. Intraocular pressure changed sharply at the transitions between light and dark. In the second group, the trough-peak IOP difference was 3.8+/-0.9 mm Hg. Intraocular pressure changed gradually throughout the 24-hour period. In comparison with the sitting IOP in the first group, the supine IOP in the second group was significantly higher during the light-wake period. CONCLUSIONS: Circadian rhythms of IOP were shown in young adults, with the peaks occurring in the late dark period. A nocturnal IOP elevation can appear independent of body position change, but change of posture from upright to recumbent may contribute to the relative nocturnal IOP elevation.

Nocturnal light effects on menstrual cycle length.

OBJECTIVES: In previous University of California, San Diego (UCSD) studies, nocturnal illumination shortened menstrual cycles that were longer than 33 days. The studies reported here extend the previous findings, confining the illumination to the sleep period. DESIGN: Two light levels (235 to 250 lux and less than 1 lux) and 2 modes of light delivery (lighted sleep mask and bedside lamp) were tested. RESULTS: 235 to 250 lux treatment cycle lengths were significantly shorter than baseline, but not significantly shorter than the less than 1 lux treatment cycle lengths. Subjective reports of sleep disturbance were greater with the 235 to 250 lux treatment, but there was no significant difference in overall quality of sleep between the two light levels. CONCLUSIONS: The current data alone do not exclude spontaneous remission or suggestion, but our previous studies demonstrated significant contrasts between 235 to 250 lux and less than 1 lux light levels. This study suggests that treatment may be effective when confined to the sleep period, and that light masks, which do not disturb bed partners, may be used in place of bedside lamps.