Circadian and homeostatic regulation of sleepiness, cognition, and their neuronal underpinnings

Abstract

In human beings, homeostatic and circadian sleep-wake regulatory processes work together for the maintenance of sleep and wakefulness at appropriate times within the 24-hour light-dark cycle. The interaction between these processes also determines time-of-day modulations in sleepiness and alertness levels, and affects performance in a series of cognitive tasks. Recent evidence suggests that similar modulation patterns can also be detected in the cerebral correlates underlying successful cognitive functions.