Sleep is a reversible, actively regulated physiological state of reduced responsiveness to the environment that is essential for neural, metabolic, immune and cardiovascular health. It is organised into cyclically alternating non-rapid-eye-movement and rapid-eye-movement stages, governed by the interaction of circad…
Sleep is a reversible, actively regulated physiological state of reduced responsiveness to the environment that is essential for neural, metabolic, immune and cardiovascular health. It is organised into cyclically alternating non-rapid-eye-movement and rapid-eye-movement stages, governed by the interaction of circadian rhythms driven by the suprachiasmatic clock and a homeostatic sleep drive, and modulated by neurotransmitter and neuromodulatory systems including the endocannabinoid system. Adequate sleep supports memory consolidation, tissue repair, hormonal regulation and immune function, whereas insufficient or disrupted sleep is associated with increased risk of chronic disease, including diabetes, cardiovascular disorders and cognitive decline, making sleep a foundational concern of preventive medicine. Assessment ranges from subjective questionnaires to objective methods such as polysomnography, actigraphy and consumer activity monitors, and disturbances span insomnia, sleep-disordered breathing, circadian-rhythm and movement disorders, and condition-specific sleep problems. Research grounded here examines the effects of aerobic, resistance and physical activity on sleep, sleep patterns in children with autism, magnetic and laser-based therapies for sleep-related disorders, sleep disturbances and hip fractures, the endocannabinoid system in sleep regulation, device-based sleep monitoring, the effect of ultra-processed foods on sleep, and sleep-disordered breathing in cardiac patients. Core considerations include sleep architecture, circadian regulation, measurement and the management of sleep disturbance. The journal publishes peer-reviewed studies on sleep physiology, sleep disorders and their assessment and treatment.
12 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 12 articles above have been cited 70 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Sleep, linking to each citing work.