Zeitgeber Hierarchy in Humans: Resetting the Circadian Phase Positions of Blind People Using Melatonin

Four blind individuals who were thought to be entrained at an abnormal circadian phase position were reset to a more normal phase using exogenous melatonin administration. In one instance, circadian phase was shifted later. A fifth subject who was thought to be entrained was monitored over four year...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chronobiology international 2003-01, Vol.20 (5), p.837-852
Main Authors: Lewy, Alfred J., Emens, Jonathan, Sack, Robert L., Hasler, Brant P., Bernert, Rebecca A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Blindness - physiopathology
Chronobiology
Circadian Rhythm - drug effects
Circadian Rhythm - physiology
Circadian rhythms
Entrainment
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Male
Melatonin
Melatonin - administration & dosage
Melatonin - physiology
Melatonin phase response curve
Middle Aged
Models, Biological
Totally blind people
Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
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Summary:Four blind individuals who were thought to be entrained at an abnormal circadian phase position were reset to a more normal phase using exogenous melatonin administration. In one instance, circadian phase was shifted later. A fifth subject who was thought to be entrained was monitored over four years and eventually was shown to have a circadian period different from 24 h. These findings have implications for treating circadian phase abnormalities in the blind, for distinguishing between abnormally entrained and free-running blind individuals, and for informing the debate over zeitgeber hierarchy in humans.
ISSN:0742-0528
1525-6073
DOI:10.1081/CBI-120024215