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Relationships between epinephrine, waking time, and self-estimates for naps at night
1Department of Psychophysiology, Tokyo Institute of Psychiatry, Japan.
Physiology & Behavior
|August 1, 1992
Summary
This study shows that increased epinephrine excretion during naps correlates with higher waking times, indicating a transient insomniac state. This finding supports using a basal regression line to monitor sleep quality.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Neuroendocrinology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- A previous study established a basal regression line correlating epinephrine excretion with waking time in rested humans.
- This line was proposed as a potential clinical tool for monitoring insomnia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if epinephrine excretion during short sleep durations, like naps, is affected by a temporary insomniac state.
- To validate the clinical utility of the basal regression line for transient insomnia.
Main Methods:
- Six healthy male subjects underwent polysomnography during a 2-hour nap (0000-0200) on three separate occasions.
- Epinephrine excretion levels during sleep were measured and correlated with the percentage of waking time.
Main Results:
- Epinephrine excretion levels increased along the basal regression line as the percentage of waking time during the nap increased.
- Subjects experiencing over 30% waking time reported unsatisfactory, light sleep.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms that the basal regression line effectively reflects transient insomniac states during naps.
- Elevated epinephrine excretion during sleep can serve as a biomarker for poor sleep quality and transient insomnia.