The interplay between circadian misalignment or sleep disturbances and cognition and brain function in individuals with different degrees of insulin resistance - a systematic review.

Helena Zander Wodschow; Christina van Elst; Konni Kass; Ane Porse; Tue Helms Andersen; Nicole Jacqueline Jensen; Birgitte Brock; J&#xf8;rgen Rungby; Jonas Salling

doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2026.102328

PubMed · 42424773

The interplay between circadian misalignment or sleep disturbances and cognition and brain function in individuals with different degrees of insulin resistance - a systematic review.

Helena Zander Wodschow·Christina van Elst·Konni Kass·Ane Porse·Tue Helms Andersen·Nicole Jacqueline Jensen·Birgitte Brock·Jørgen Rungby·Jonas Salling

View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Disruption of sleep increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and worsens cognitive outcomes, yet few studies have evaluated the interaction between insulin resistance and sleep parameters in relation to cognitive outcomes or the risk of dementia. This systematic review examines how circadian misalignment and sleep disturbances affect cognition and neuroimaging findings in individuals with varying degrees of insulin resistance. Across 27 studies, disrupted circadian rhythmicity and sleep disturbances were negatively associated with brain health, possibly through its effects on insulin sensitivity, whereas the impact of sleep duration and quality were inconclusive. Methodological heterogeneity, reliance on cross-sectional designs, and limited control for confounders restricted definitive conclusions and highlighted the need for longitudinal and interventional studies with objective measurements. Nonetheless, the findings support circadian rhythmicity as a potentially modifiable risk factor for preserving cognition in insulin-resistant populations. Future research should prioritise prospective and interventional studies and focus on biological markers rather than self-reported outcomes.

Explore related subjects

Humans Brain Circadian Rhythm Cognition Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Insulin Resistance Sleep Duration Sleep Wake Disorders Brain imaging Circadian rhythms Insulin resistance Sleep Journal Article Systematic Review

Keep this discovery

BibTeX RIS

Helena Zander Wodschow, Christina van Elst, Konni Kass, Ane Porse, Tue Helms Andersen, Nicole Jacqueline Jensen, Birgitte Brock, Jørgen Rungby, Jonas Salling. 2026-06-21. The interplay between circadian misalignment or sleep disturbances and cognition and brain function in individuals with different degrees of insulin resistance - a systematic review.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2026.102328

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

Discover connections

Journal Article; Systematic Review resource Brain subject Cognition subject Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 subject Humans subject Insulin Resistance subject Journal Article subject Systematic reviews study

Connections use source metadata and explicit phrase matches, not verified experimental comparisons.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2026

Impact of kangaroo care on circadian rhythm, growth, physiological stability in premature infants, and cortisol and melatonin levels in maternal breast milk: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effects of regular kangaroo care (KC) on sleep-wake cycles, growth, physiological stability, and maternal breast milk cortisol and melatonin levels in premature infants. DESIGN: This study was a parallel group, single-blind, pre-test-post-test, randomised controlled trial (RCT). METHODS: This randomized controlled study was conducted in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Türkiye between September 2024 and September 2025 Thirty-six premature infants were randomized to intervention (n = 28) or control (n = 28). Infants in the intervention group received KC for three consecutive days, twice daily (10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.) for 60 min per session. Data were collected using the Infant Information Form, Physiological Parameters Monitoring Chart, and Premature Infant Sleep-Wake Cycles Tracking Chart. Sleep-wake cycles were monitored using a Bispectral Index device. Breast milk cortisol and melatonin levels were measured at baseline and on day three using the competitive ELISA method. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06589349). RESULTS: Regular KC had a statistically significant effect on BIS values, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and body temperature (p < 0.05). No statistically significant effects were observed on infant body weight or on maternal breast milk cortisol and melatonin levels (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that regular KC is associated with improved regulation of the sleep-wake cycle and enhanced physiological stability in premature infants. No significant changes were observed in maternal breast milk cortisol or melatonin levels following KC.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Concerns regarding the three-time-point sampling approach for diurnal transcriptome analysis in adipose tissue: evidence from fasting-independent time-of-day effects.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adipose tissue↗

PubMed2026

Synchronicity of parent-child sleep and potential mechanisms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Existing evidence indicates that parent and child circadian rhythms are associated, but studies have mainly examined factors affecting child sleep health. This systematic review addressed two questions: a) is there a synchronous relationship between parent and offspring sleep? and b) what are the potential mechanisms? PubMed, Embase, PsychINFO, and Scopus were searched from inception to April 2025. Forty-six studies comprising over 100000 parent-child dyads across 16 countries were included. Results showed small-to-moderate parent-child synchronicity in sleep duration (r = 0.18, 95% CI [0.14, 0.23]), sleep efficiency (r = 0.30, 95% CI [0.19, 0.41]), bedtime (r = 0.34, 95% CI [0.20, 0.46]), and wake up time (r = 0.48, 95% CI [0.24, 0.66]), with stronger effects observed in mother-child dyads. Synchronicity in sleep continuity was moderate, whereas associations in sleep satisfaction were small and non-significant. Mechanisms included genetic and hormonal factors, bedtime routines, shared environments, and attachment. These findings are consistent with family systems theory's premise that sleep is a relational phenomenon. Observed synchronicity in sleep timing may partly reflect shared external constraints like work and school schedules. Most studies were cross-sectional, limiting causal or directional conclusions. Future research should adopt standardized methodologies and longitudinal designs to clarify mechanistic pathways.

Humans↗