Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD) is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder characterized by a significant delay in the timing of the major sleep episode relative to the desired or conventional sleep time, leading to difficulty in falling asleep and waking up at socially acceptable times. This condition often results in chronic sleep deprivation and can significantly impact daily functioning, social life, and mental health.
Endogenous oscillators are biological systems that produce regular, cyclical changes in organism physiology and behavior, independent of external cues. These internal clocks are crucial for maintaining homeostasis and orchestrating daily and seasonal rhythms in living organisms.