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Originalarbeit

The Biological Clock and Sleep in the Elderly

Published Online:September 01, 2006https://doi.org/10.1024/1011-6877.19.1.45

Abstract

Abstract: Among many other changes, older age is characterized by advanced sleep-wake cycles, changes in the amplitude of various circadian rhythms, as well as reduced entrainment to zeitgebers. These features reveal themselves through early morning awakenings, sleep difficulties at night, and a re-emergence of daytime napping. This review summarizes the observations concerning the biological clock and sleep in the elderly and discusses the documented and theoretical considerations behind these age-related behavioral changes, especially with respect to circadian biology.


Die biologische Tagesuhr und Schlaf im Alter

Zusammenfassung: Alter ist unter anderem durch eine Vorverschiebung der Schlaf-Wach-Zyklen, einer Abschwächung der Amplitude circadianer Rhythmen, sowie einer verminderten Synchronisation an Zeitgeber gekennzeichnet. Dies führtn in älteren Menschen zu besonders frühem Erwachen, zu häufigen Schlafunterbrechungen sowie zu wiederholten Nickerchen während des Tages. Der vorliegende Artikel exploriert den Zusammenhang zwischen der biologischen Uhr und dem Schlaf-Wach-Rhythmus älterer Menschen.

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