Sleep, energy homeostasis and metabolic syndrome alterations

Though occupying up to 30% of our lifetime, the biological process of sleep retains many of its secrets. Most animals need to sleep regularly, but why this is essential for general well-being and life itself remains unknown. One important function of sleep lies in its regulation of metabolic homeostasis. In this chapter we describe the complex interactive relationship of sleep and metabolism and the impact of sleep loss and sleep disruption on the development of the metabolic syndrome. We show that the two processes are regulated by complementary and partially overlapping central circuits and both share a close connection with the circadian clock. In our modern societies sleep hygiene has long been neglected, but it becomes increasingly clear that healthy and sufficient sleep is an essential factor in maintaining a normal body weight and minimizing the risk of developing obesity-associated diseases such as type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome.