Abstract
This study investigated the utility of the pupillary light reflex as a method of differentiating DSPD patients with delayed melatonin timing relative to desired/required sleep time (circadian type) and those with non-delayed melatonin timing (non-circadian type). All participants were young adults, with a total of 14 circadian DSPD patients (M = 28.14, SD = 5.26), 12 non-circadian DSPD patients (M = 29.42, SD = 11.51) and 51 healthy controls (M = 21.47 SD = 3.16) completing the protocol. All participants were free of central nervous system acting medications and abstained from caffeine and alcohol on the day of the assessment. Two pupillary light reflex measurements were completed by each participant, one with a 1s dim (~10 lux) light exposure, and one with a 1s bright (~1500 lux) light exposure. Circadian DSPD patients showed a significantly faster pupillary light reflex than both non-circadian DSPD patients and healthy controls. Non-circadian patients and healthy controls did not differ significantly. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to determine the utility of mean and maximum constriction velocity in differentiating the two DSPD phenotypes, and these demonstrated high levels of sensitivity (69.23–-100%) and specificity (66.67–91.67%) at their optimal cut offs. The strongest predictor of DSPD phenotype was the mean constriction velocity to bright light (AUC = 0.87). These results support the potential for the pupillary light reflex to clinically differentiate between DSPD patients with normal vs. delayed circadian timing relative to desired bedtime, without the need for costly and time-consuming circadian assessments.
Highlights
Delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD) is categorised as a circadian rhythm sleep disorder according to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders
This study investigated the utility of the pupillary light reflex (PLR) as a method of differentiating DSPD phenotypes, and distinguishing DSPD patients from healthy controls
Circadian DSPD patients were distinguished from healthy controls using bright light PLR outcomes, exhibiting a significantly faster PLR than healthy controls, which may indicate a hypersensitivity to light
Summary
Delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD) is categorised as a circadian rhythm sleep disorder according to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders SMW Rajaratnam reports no conflicts in direct relation to this work, but that he has served as a consultant through his institution to Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Philips Respironics, EdanSafe, The Australian Workers’ Union, National Transport Commission, Transport Accident Commission, New South Wales Department of Education and Communities, and has through his institution received research grants and/or unrestricted educational grants from Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Shell, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Rio Tinto, Seeing Machines, Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Philips Lighting, Philips Respironics, Cephalon, and ResMed Foundation, and reimbursements for conference travel expenses from Vanda Pharmaceuticals His institution has received equipment donations or other support from OptalertTM, Compumedics, and Tyco Healthcare. The impact of these treatments differs depending on the biological time at which they are administered Their impact will differ between circadian and non-circadian DSPD patients when given relative to sleep (as opposed to biological time), and these two distinct phenotypes would likely benefit from different treatment approaches. We hypothesised that the circadian DSPD patients would exhibit a significantly faster PLR than healthy controls, indicating a hypersensitivity to light
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
