%0 Journal Article
%T Circadian rhythms in cognitive performance: implications for neuropsychological assessment
%A Valdez P
%A Ram&iacute
%A rez C
%A Garc&iacute
%A a A
%J ChronoPhysiology and Therapy
%D 2012
%I Dove Medical Press
%X Pablo Valdez, Candelaria Ram¨ªrez, A¨ªda Garc¨ªaLaboratory of Psychophysiology, School of Psychology, University of Nuevo Le¨®n, Monterrey, Nuevo Le¨®n, M¨¦xicoAbstract: Circadian variations have been found in human performance, including the efficiency to execute many tasks, such as sensory, motor, reaction time, time estimation, memory, verbal, arithmetic calculations, and simulated driving tasks. Performance increases during the day and decreases during the night. Circadian rhythms have been found in three basic neuropsychological processes (attention, working memory, and executive functions), which may explain oscillations in the performance of many tasks. The time course of circadian rhythms in cognitive performance may be modified significantly in patients with brain disorders, due to chronotype, age, alterations of the circadian rhythm, sleep deprivation, type of disorder, and medication. This review analyzes the recent results on circadian rhythms in cognitive performance, as well as the implications of these rhythms for the neuropsychological assessment of patients with brain disorders such as traumatic head injury, stroke, dementia, developmental disorders, and psychiatric disorders.Keywords: human circadian rhythms, cognitive performance, neuropsychological assessment, attention, working memory, executive functions
%U http://www.dovepress.com/circadian-rhythms-in-cognitive-performance-implications-for-neuropsych-a11768