Alertness

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Alertness is a state of active

The word is formed from "alert", which comes from the Italian all'erta (on the watch, literally: on the height; 1618).^[citation needed]

Wakefulness refers mainly to differences between the sleep and waking states; vigilance refers to sustained alertness and concentration. Both terms are sometimes used synonymously with alertness.

Importance and difficulty

People who have to be alert during their jobs, such as

Wakefulness depends on the coordinated effort of multiple brain areas. These are affected by neurotransmitters and other factors.[3] Many Neurotransmitters are in effect to experience wakefulness to include GABA, Acetylcholine, Adenosine, Serotonin, Norepinephrine, Histamine, and Dopamine.^[5] There is not an isolated neurotransmitter that alone is responsible for the sensation of wakefulness. However, it is known that many transmitters are used together to cause this effect.^[5][6] Research to map the wakefulness circuitry is ongoing.^[6]

Beyond good sleep, physical activity, and healthy diet, a review suggests odours, music, and extrinsic motivation may increase alertness or decrease mental fatigue.^[21] Short rest periods and adjustments to lighting (level and type of) may also be useful.^[22] Various types of neurostimulation are being researched,^{[23][further explanation needed]} as is the microbiome and related interventions.^[2]

Alertness after waking

A study suggests non-genetic determinants of alertness upon waking up from sleep are:^[24][25]

• sleep quantity/
  quality
  the night before
• physical activity the day prior
• a carbohydrate-rich breakfast
• a lower blood glucose response following breakfast
  • (modifiable as well, for example via choice of food and with berberine^[26])

The baseline of daily alertness^{[clarification needed]} is related to the quality of their^{[clarification needed]} sleep (currently^{[may be outdated as of July 2023]} measured only by self-reported quality), positive emotional state (specifically self-report happiness), and age.^[25] There are genes that enable people to be apparently healthy and alert with little sleep. However, twin-pair analyses indicate that the genetic contribution to daytime alertness is small.^[25] Other factors such as natural light exposure^[25] and synchronicity with the circadian rhythm may matter as well.

Behavioral ecology

Vigilance is important for animals so that they may watch out for predators. Typically a reduction in alertness is observed in animals that live in larger groups. Studies on vigilance have been conducted on various animals including the scaly-breasted munia.^[27]

See also

• Awareness – State or ability to perceive, to feel, or to be conscious of events, objects, or sensory patterns
• Consciousness – Awareness of existence
• Disorders of consciousness – medical condition that inhibits consciousnessPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback
• Wakefulness – Brain state and state of consciousness

References