1Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa.
2Department of Neuropsychiatry, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo.
3Future Institute for Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Tokyo.
In this review, the authors explain how human circadian rhythm has developed in the process of evolution, mechanisms of human circadian control, modification of human circadian rhythm and therapeutic principles of circadian rhythm related sleep disorders. In order to treat circadian rhythm related sleep disorders, precise understanding of the mechanism and proper use of circadian phase modifiers are necessary. Therapeutic principles involve bright light, melatonin, exercise and their phase response curves.
