A New Challenge to Widely Held Views on the Role of Sleep
Authors: Francesco P. Cappuccio, Michelle A. Miller
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2012)

Editorials16 October 2012A New Challenge to Widely Held Views on the Role of SleepFrancesco P. Cappuccio, MD, DSc and Michelle A. Miller, PhDFrancesco P. Cappuccio, MD, DScFrom University of Warwick, Coventry CV2 2DX, United Kingdom.Search for more papers by this author and Michelle A. Miller, PhDFrom University of Warwick, Coventry CV2 2DX, United Kingdom.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-157-8-201210160-00016 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Philosophers, moralists, and scientists have been interested in sleep since ancient times. Although hypotheses and beliefs about the role of sleep have varied over the centuries, many have considered sleep to be an idle state or a sole function of the brain (1). However, suggestions of a link between sleep and metabolic functions can be found in early Roman medicine. Aulus Cornelius Celsus (circa 25 BCE to 50 ACE) argued in favor of “restricted sleep” for the treatment of extra weight, and Galen (129 to circa 216 ACE) listed “somnux et vigilia” (sleeping and waking) as important causes of illness ...References1. Cappuccio FP, Miller MA, Lockley SW. Sleep, Health and Society. From Aetiology to Public Health. New York: Oxford Univ Pr; 2010. Google Scholar2. Gilman SL. Obesity. The Biography. New York: Oxford Univ Pr; 2010. Google Scholar3. Cappuccio FP, D'Elia L, Strazzullo P, Miller MA. Sleep duration and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. Sleep. 2010;33:585-92. [PMID: 20469800] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Cappuccio FP, Cooper D, D'Elia L, Strazzullo P, Miller MA. Sleep duration predicts cardiovascular outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. Eur Heart J. 2011;32:1484-92. [PMID: 21300732] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Cappuccio FP, D'Elia L, Strazzullo P, Miller MA. Quantity and quality of sleep and incidence of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes Care. 2010;33:414-20. [PMID: 19910503] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. Cappuccio FP, Stranges S, Kandala NB, Miller MA, Taggart FM, Kumari M, et al. Gender-specific associations of short sleep duration with prevalent and incident hypertension: the Whitehall II Study. Hypertension. 2007;50:693-700. [PMID: 17785629] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. Cappuccio FP, Taggart FM, Kandala NB, Currie A, Peile E, Stranges S, et al. Meta-analysis of short sleep duration and obesity in children and adults. Sleep. 2008;31:619-26. [PMID: 18517032] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. Spiegel K, Tasali E, Leproult R, Van Cauter E. Effects of poor and short sleep on glucose metabolism and obesity risk. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2009;5:253-61. [PMID: 19444258] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. Spiegel K, Tasali E, Penev P, Van Cauter E. Brief communication: Sleep curtailment in healthy young men is associated with decreased leptin levels, elevated ghrelin levels, and increased hunger and appetite. Ann Intern Med. 2004;141:846-50. [PMID: 15583226] LinkGoogle Scholar10. Benedict C, Hallschmid M, Lassen A, Mahnke C, Schultes B, Schiöth HB, et al. Acute sleep deprivation reduces energy expenditure in healthy men. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011;93:1229-36. [PMID: 21471283] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar11. Broussard JL, Ehrmann DA, Van Cauter E, Tasali E, Brady MJ. Impaired insulin signaling in human adipocytes after experimental sleep restriction. A randomized, crossover study. Ann Intern Med. 2012;157:549-57. LinkGoogle Scholar12. Wehr TA. The durations of human melatonin secretion and sleep respond to changes in daylength (photoperiod). J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1991;73:1276-80. [PMID: 1955509] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar13. Cohen DA, Wang W, Wyatt JK, Kronauer RE, Dijk DJ, Czeisler CA, et al. Uncovering residual effects of chronic sleep loss on human performance. Sci Transl Med. 2010;2:14ra3. [PMID: 20371466] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar14. Buxton OM, Cain SW, O'Connor SP, Porter JH, Duffy JF, Wang W, et al. Adverse metabolic consequences in humans of prolonged sleep restriction combined with circadian disruption. Sci Transl Med. 2012;4:129ra43. [PMID: 22496545] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar15. Bowers RR, Gettys TW, Prpic V, Harris RB, Bartness TJ. Short photoperiod exposure increases adipocyte sensitivity to noradrenergic stimulation in Siberian hamsters. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2005;288:R1354-60. [PMID: 15821285] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar16. Atgié C, Sauvant P, Ambid L, Carpéné C. Possible mechanisms of weight loss of Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus sungorus) exposed to short photoperiod. J Physiol Biochem. 2009;65:377-86. [PMID: 20358351] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From University of Warwick, Coventry CV2 2DX, United Kingdom.Disclosures: Disclosures can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M12-2146.Corresponding Author: Francesco P. Cappuccio, MD, DSc, University of Warwick, Warwick Medical School, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Campus, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry CV2 2DX, United Kingdom; e-mail, [email protected].Current Author Addresses: Drs. Cappuccio and Miller: University of Warwick, Warwick Medical School, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Campus, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry CV2 2DX, United Kingdom. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoImpaired Insulin Signaling in Human Adipocytes After Experimental Sleep Restriction Josiane L. Broussard , David A. Ehrmann , Eve Van Cauter , Esra Tasali , and Matthew J. Brady Metrics Cited bySleep Disturbances, Hypertension, and Type 2 DiabetesSleep and Cardio-Metabolic DiseaseNonpharmacological Treatments of Insomnia for Long-Term Painful Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Randomized Controlled TrialsNon-Pharmacologic Interventions to Improve the Sleep of Hospitalized Patients: A Systematic ReviewBiomarkers of cardiovascular risk in sleep-deprived peopleCan't Sleep? Insomnia Treatment 16 October 2012Volume 157, Issue 8Page: 593-594KeywordsAdipocytesChildrenClinical trial reportingFatsInsulinInsulin resistanceObesityPrevention, policy, and public healthSleepSleep deprivation ePublished: 16 October 2012 Issue Published: 16 October 2012 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2012 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...