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Day/night melatonin content in cerebral palsy
Janaina S Santos1, Celia M Giacheti2, Lilian S Dornelas1
1Specialized Center for Rehabilitation, Sorri - Bauru-SP, Brazil; São Paulo State University-UNESP, Marília, SP, Brazil.
Neuroscience Letters
|September 4, 2018
Summary
Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) often experience sleep disorders. This study found that a disrupted day-night melatonin cycle in CP patients is linked to sleep disturbances, particularly sleep breathing disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Sleep-wake cycle disturbances are common in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP), impacting their quality of life.
- Melatonin, a hormone regulating sleep, may play a role in these sleep disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the day-night variation of melatonin content and sleep disorders (SD) in individuals with CP.
- To compare melatonin levels in individuals with CP and controls.
Main Methods:
- Sleep disorders were assessed using a Sleep Questionnaire.
- Melatonin content was measured using ELISA in 33 individuals with CP and 24 controls.
Main Results:
- 47% of the CP group exhibited indicators of sleep disorders, with sleep breathing disorder being the most frequent.
- The CP group displayed higher daytime and lower nighttime melatonin levels compared to controls.
- Individuals with CP and sleep disorders had lower nocturnal melatonin levels than those without sleep disorders.
Conclusions:
- A lack of day-night variation in melatonin is associated with sleep disorders in individuals with cerebral palsy.
- Disrupted melatonin secretion patterns may contribute to sleep problems in the CP population.
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