Assessment and modification of a human subject's circadian cycle
First Claim
1. A method of modifying a human subject'"'"'s endogenous circadian cycle to a desired state, comprising the steps of:
- determining the characteristics of a desired endogenous circadian cycle for said subject;
selecting an appropriate time with respect to the presumed phase of physiological markers of the present endogenous circadian cycle for said subject during which to apply a light stimulus to effect a desired modification of said present endogenous circadian cycle of said subject; and
applying said light stimulus at said selected appropriate time to achieve said desired endogenous circadian cycle for said subject.
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Abstract
A method for modifying the human endogenous circadian pacemaker is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of determining the characteristics of a desired endogenous circadian cycle for a subject; selecting an appropriate time with respect to the presumed phase of physiological markers of the present endogenous circadian cycle for the subject during which to apply a light stimulus to effect a desired modification of the present endogenous circadian cycle of the subject; and applying said light stimulus at said selected appropriate time to achieve the desired endogenous circadian cycle for the subject. The method finds special utility in treating "jet lag" sufferers, shift workers, advanced circadian phase experienced by many elderly subjects, and those afflicted with delayed sleep phase insomnia.
159 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method of modifying a human subject'"'"'s endogenous circadian cycle to a desired state, comprising the steps of:
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determining the characteristics of a desired endogenous circadian cycle for said subject; selecting an appropriate time with respect to the presumed phase of physiological markers of the present endogenous circadian cycle for said subject during which to apply a light stimulus to effect a desired modification of said present endogenous circadian cycle of said subject; and applying said light stimulus at said selected appropriate time to achieve said desired endogenous circadian cycle for said subject. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of facilitating the physiological adaptation of a human subject to a reoccurring activity/rest-leisure schedule requiring said subject to be active during a portion of conventional sleep hours, comprising the steps of:
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selecting a substantial episode of time during the activity portion of said subject'"'"'s activity/rest schedule to apply a light stimulus; and applying, at said selected time episode, said light stimulus consisting of an episode of enhanced illumination; whereby the physiological adaptation of said subject to a reoccurring activity/rest schedule requiring said subject to be active during a portion of said conventional sleep hours if facilitated. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of facilitating the physiological adaptation of a human subject to an activity/rest schedule requiring said subject to be active during a portion of the conventional sleep hours by modifying said subject'"'"'s present endogenous circadian cycle to a desired state, comprising the steps of:
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determining the characteristics of a desired endogenous circadian cycle for said subject; selecting an appropriate time episode with respect to the presumed phase of physiological markers of the present endogenous circadian cycle for said subject during which to apply a light stimulus to effect a desired modification of said present endogenous circadian cycle; and exposing said subject to said light stimulus at said selected time episode; whereby the endogenous circadian cycle of said subject is modified to a desired state, thereby facilitating the physiological adaptation of said subject to an activity/rest schedule requiring said subject to be active during a portion of said conventional sleep hours. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of improving the physiological adaptation of the endogenous circadian pacemaker of a human subject to a desired wake time by resetting the phase of said endogenous circadian pacemaker, said method comprising the steps of:
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estimating the phase of the endogenous circadian cycle of said subject based on characteristics of said subject'"'"'s habitual sleep/wake cycle; selecting an appropriate time during said estimated phase of said circadian cycle of said subject based on the presumed phase of physiological markers of the circadian cycle of said subject during which to expose said subject to a stimulus including an enhanced level of illumination; and exposing said subject to said stimulus at said selected time to thereby reset the phase of said endogenous circadian pacemaker of said subject. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of improving the physiological adaptation of the endogenous circadian pacemaker of a human subject to a desired wake time by resetting the phase of said endogenous circadian pacemaker, said method comprising the steps of:
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determining the characteristics of a desired endogenous circadian cycle for said subject; selecting an appropriate time with respect to the presumed phase of physiological markers of the present endogenous circadian cycle for said subject during which to expose said subject to a stimulus including an enhanced level of illumination; and exposing said subject to said stimulus at said selected time to thereby reset the phase of said endogenous circadian pacemaker of said subject. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification