The Neurobiology of Sleep and Circadian Clock

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Neuroscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 December 2026 | Viewed by 5219

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Guest Editor
Institute of Medical Physiology “Richard Burian”, Belgrade University Faculty of Medicine, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: neuroscience; neurophysiology; sleep medicine; healthy sleep; basic sleep; sleep modulation; promotion of sleep health; the relation of sleep and technologies; the disorders of other systems in maintaining longevity

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sleep and circadian rhythms are vital physiological processes essential for brain and body homeostasis, as well as overall health and longevity. Tremendous advances in neuroscience, molecular biology, and clinical research have substantially improved our understanding of how sleep regulatory mechanisms and circadian systems interact at multiple levels, from genes and neural circuits to behavior and disease. Disruptions of these systems are recognized as major contributors to psychiatric, neurological, metabolic, and cardiovascular disorders, particularly in the context of modern lifestyles and environments characterized by artificial light exposure, shift work, and irregular sleep schedules and poor sleep hygiene.

This Special Issue of Biology aims to bring together cutting-edge research addressing the mechanisms regarding the regulation of sleep and circadian biology. We welcome original research articles, reviews (narrative, scoping, and systematic), and translational studies exploring molecular and cellular clock mechanisms; interactions between circadian and sleep biology; sleep fragmentation and deprivation; and age-, disease-, and environment-related sleep alterations. Of particular interest are papers dealing with interdisciplinary approaches and innovative methodologies. By integrating different perspectives, this Special Issue seeks to advance our understanding of the neurobiology of sleep and circadian systems and promote novel strategies for improving human health, longevity, and well-being.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Dragan Hrnčić
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • clock genes
  • neuroendocrine rhythms
  • circadian misalignment
  • sleep disorders
  • sleep health
  • light
  • jet lag
  • shift work

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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24 pages, 2507 KB  
Systematic Review
The Prevalence of Sleep Disorders in Populations with Glymphatic Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Zaw Myo Hein, Che Mohd Nasril Che Mohd Nassir, Hafizah Abdul Hamid, Muhammad Farris Iman Leong Abdullah and Nisha Shantakumari
Biology 2026, 15(4), 309; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15040309 - 10 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4830
Abstract
The glymphatic system supports metabolic waste clearance during sleep and is essential for brain homeostasis. Disruption of this system has been linked to sleep disorders, yet the overall prevalence of sleep disorders in populations showing impaired glymphatic-related function remains unclear. This systematic review [...] Read more.
The glymphatic system supports metabolic waste clearance during sleep and is essential for brain homeostasis. Disruption of this system has been linked to sleep disorders, yet the overall prevalence of sleep disorders in populations showing impaired glymphatic-related function remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the prevalence of sleep disorders in human cohorts with structural, functional, or biochemical imaging markers of impaired glymphatic activity. Following PRISMA guidelines, major databases were searched up to August 2025. Eligible observational studies reported sleep disorder prevalence in populations characterized by enlarged perivascular spaces, white matter hyperintensities, DTI-ALPS (DTI-ALPS: Diffusion tensor image analysis along perivascular space) alterations, ultrafast fMRI (fMRI: functional magnetic resonance) indices, or CSF/PET (CSF: cerebrospinal fluid; PET: positron emission tomography) clearance deficits. Random-effects models generated pooled estimates, and heterogeneity, publication bias, and moderators were examined using I2 statistics, Egger’s test, trim-and-fill, and meta-regression. Nineteen studies (≈4500 participants) met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of sleep disorders in populations with impaired glymphatic-related function was 44.9% (95% CI: 34.9–55.3%), with substantial heterogeneity (I2 ≈ 95%). Meta-regression identified older age and case–control design as significant contributors, while imaging modality, sex distribution, and sample size were not. Publication bias was minimal. Sleep disorders are common among individuals with impaired glymphatic-related markers, reflecting co-occurrence rather than causality. Standardized longitudinal studies are needed to clarify mechanisms and clinical relevance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Neurobiology of Sleep and Circadian Clock)
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