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Twisting the night away: a review of the neurobiology, genetics, diagnosis, and treatment of shift work disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 December 2013

Debbi Ann Morrissette
Debbi Ann Morrissette*
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, San Marcos, California, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Palomar Community College, San Marcos, California, USA; Neuroscience Education Institute, Carlsbad, California, USA
*
*Address for correspondence: Debbi Ann Morrissette, PhD, Neuroscience Education Institute, 1930 Palomar Point Way, Suite 101, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Although not all individuals who work outside of standard daytime hours develop physical and psychiatric issues, there is a substantial portion of shift workers who develop shift work disorder. Shift work disorder is due to a misalignment between an individual's endogenous circadian rhythms and environmental stimuli, and can have potentially serious consequences to an individual's health and quality of life. This article reviews the neurobiological and genetic underpinnings of shift work disorder, and describes how desynchronization of the molecular clock may lead to both physical and psychiatric illnesses. Diagnostic tools and treatment guidelines to address the circadian misalignment, excessive sleepiness, and insomnia experienced by patients with shift work disorder are also discussed.

Keywords

Armodafinilcircadian rhythm disordermelatoninmolecular clockmodafinil
Type
CME Review Article
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 18 , Issue s1: CME SUPPLEMENT , December 2013 , pp. 42 - 54
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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Footnotes

This CME article is supported by an educational grant from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

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