RxPG News : Sleep Disorders

Snoring due to sleep apnea can damage brain severely

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:23:57 PST

Snoring due sleep apnea may impair brain function in a much worse way than previously thought, according to a new study.

Meditation may be effective for treating insomnia

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:01:21 PST

Meditation may be an effective remedy in treating insomnia, latest research suggests.

Caffeine may prevent risk taking after sleep deprivation

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:36:11 PST

Washington, June 12 - A dose of caffeine may prevent increased risk taking that occurs after several nights of total sleep deprivation, according to the latest research.

Surgical weight loss does not eliminate sleep apnea

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:42:48 PST

Washington, Aug 15 - Weight loss by surgery might not really help those with obstructive sleep apnea that merrily continues in moderate or severe forms even a year later, according to a study.

Sleep disturbances among the elderly linked to suicide

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:00:00 PST

Self-reported sleep complaints among the elderly serve as a risk factor for completed suicide. The study, conducted by Rebecca Bernert of Florida State University, focused on data that were collected among 14,456 community elders over a 10-year period.

Slow wave activity during sleep is lower in African-Americans

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 18:00:00 PST

Slow wave activity (SWA), a stable trait dependent marker of the intensity of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, is lower in young healthy African-Americans compared to Caucasians who were matched for age, gender and body weight, according to a research abstract that will be presented Tuesday at SLEEP 2007, the 21st Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

Extended Shifts for Medical Interns Negatively Impact Patient Safety

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 16:00:00 PST

Working an extended duration shift can pose a risk to not only the safety and well-being of medical interns, but also to that of their patients, according to a research abstract that was presented on Wednesday at SLEEP 2007, the 21st Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

Imagery rehearsal therapy improves sleep

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 16:00:00 PST

In a study that insomniacs may find welcoming, imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) has been shown to subjectively improve their ability to get a good night's sleep, according to a research abstract that will be presented Wednesday at SLEEP 2007, the 21st Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

Reduced sleep quality can aggravate psychological conditions

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 16:00:00 PST

Disturbed sleep is a commonly reported symptom among individuals diagnosed with anxiety disorders. However, the direct cause of disrupted sleep is poorly understood. Proper sleep is critical for cognitive and daily functioning, and reduced quality of sleep has the potential to exacerbate pre-existing psychological conditions, according to a research abstract that was presented on Wednesday at SLEEP 2007, the 21st Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

CBT Workshop Effective for Insomnia in Males

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 16:00:00 PST

Despite the positive results that it brings in the treatment of insomnia, access to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been difficult given the limited awareness of CBT services amongst referrers such as primary care providers. In addition to the low capacity among services to provide CBT, there is a gender imbalance, and men tend to seek help less frequently for their insomnia than women. The development and implementation of a CBT workshop is an effective means for getting men to seek help for the sleep disorder, according to a research abstract that will be presented Wednesday at SLEEP 2007, the 21st Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

Many sleep disorders linked with abnormal sexual behaviors

Sun, 03 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

A paper published in the June 1st issue of the journal SLEEP is the first literature review and formal classification of a wide range of documented sleep-related disorders associated with abnormal sexual behaviors and experiences. These abnormal sexual behaviors, which emerge during sleep, are referred to as sleepsex or sexsomnia.

Sleep apnea patients have greatly increased risk of severe car crashes

Mon, 21 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

People with obstructive sleep apnea have a markedly increased risk of severe motor vehicle crashes involving personal injury, according to a study presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference, on Sunday, May 20.

Sleep quantity affects morning testosterone levels in older men

Sun, 01 Apr 2007 11:54:41 PST

The testosterone levels of healthy men decline as they get older. As sleep quality and quantity typically decrease with age, objectively measured differences in the amount of sleep a healthy older man gets can affect his level of testosterone in the morning, according to a study published in the April 1st issue of the journal SLEEP.

Sleep disturbance increases spontaneous pain in women

Sun, 01 Apr 2007 11:51:22 PST

Sleep continuity disturbance impairs endogenous pain-inhibitory function and increases spontaneous pain in women. This supports a possible pathophysiologic role of sleep disturbance in chronic pain, according to a study published in the April 1st issue of the journal SLEEP.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea increasingly associated with cardiovascular disease

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 05:49:05 PST

Cardiovascular disease can pose a threat to both men and women. While a diet rich in fat and high in cholesterol as well as lack of exercise can contribute to cardiovascular disease, a study published in the March 1st issue of the journal SLEEP finds that people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are at an increased risk of having cardiovascular disease.

Sleep deprivation affects moral judgment

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 05:45:29 PST

Research has shown that bad sleep can adversely affect a person's physical health and emotional well-being. However, the amount of sleep one gets can also influence his or her decision-making. A study published in the March 1st issue of the journal SLEEP finds that sleep deprivation impairs the ability to integrate emotion and cognition to guide moral judgments.

Sleepy driver near-misses may predict accident risks

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 05:42:02 PST

Getting behind the wheel on an insufficient amount of sleep poses a significant risk to not only the driver, but to others sharing the road. Sleep deprivation may affect a driver's awareness of his or her surroundings, as well as reduce one's ability to react to situations in time. As a result, this endangers the lives of themselves and others by increasing the likelihood of causing an accident. In the first known scientific study into the important question of near-miss sleepy accidents and their association with actual accidents, a study published in the March 1st issue of the journal SLEEP finds that sleepy near-misses may be dangerous precursors to an actual accident.

Treating insomnia is far less costly than ignoring it

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 05:38:21 PST

Insomniacs are advised to get early treatment for their sleep disorder not only so they can start feeling better faster, but it can also save them and their employers money in the long run. A study published in the March 1st issue of the journal SLEEP finds that, as opposed to treating insomnia, failure to treat it is much more costly.

Resemblance between cataplexy during status cataplecticus, normal REM sleep

Sun, 04 Feb 2007 23:19:10 PST

The first efforts to identify the neural structures and pathways underlying cataplexy during status cataplecticus in a narcoleptic patient, with the use of brain perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), have led to the discovery that cataplexy during status cataplecticus, a case of prolonged cataplexy, partially resembles normal rapid eye movement (REM) sleep but without the other imaging characteristics of this state, according to a study published in the February 1st issue of the journal SLEEP.

Risk Factors For Developing Complications From Sleep Apnea Surgery

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 14:30:00 PST

Patients undergoing surgery to correct sleep apnea are more likely to have complications if their condition is severe, they have a high body mass index, they have other medical problems or they are undergoing certain other surgical procedures at the same time, according to a report in the October issue of Archives of OtolaryngologyHead & Neck Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Studying sleep deprivation's effect on decisions

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 04:23:00 PST

Everyone needs sleep, but temporary periods with no sleep can be a reality of military operations. To get answers on sleep questions for the military as well as civilians, for nearly four years Dr. Sean Drummond, a Department of Defense-funded researcher, has studied the effects of sleep deprivation on the brain, namely in decision making, as well as how long it takes to recover from periods of no sleep.

New sleep gene discovery wakes up scientists

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 21:51:00 PST

Proteins that regulate sleep and biological timing in the body work much differently than previously thought, meaning drug makers must change their approach to making drugs for sleep disorders and depression and other timing-related illnesses. The surprise finding is an about-face from previous research, said Daniel Forger, assistant professor of math at the University of Michigan. Forger and his collaborators from the University of Utah's Huntsman Cancer Institute have written a paper on the topic, which will appear on in the July 11 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

Diphenhydramine Does Not Improve Infant Sleep

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 13:18:00 PST

An antihistamine often recommended to parents whose infants do not sleep through the night may not be effective in reducing nighttime awakenings or improving parents' happiness with their children's sleep, according to a report in the July issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Between 20 and 46 percent of parents have reported that their infants have trouble sleeping, according to background information in the article. Some parents let their children cry for extended periods at night-this method, known as crying out, is popular but controversial among parents and health care professionals. Another commonly used method is to give children medications-such as antihistamines, normally used to treat allergies-to sedate them at bedtime. Diphenhydramine hydrochloride, sold as Benadryl, is often used by parents and recommended by physicians despite the fact that it has not been studied in children younger than age 2 years.

People sleep even less than they think

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 13:07:00 PST

A study of the sleep characteristics of 669 middle-aged adults found that people sleep much less than they should, and even less than they think. Published in the July issue in the American Journal of Epidemiology, the study also found that blacks sleep less than whites, men sleep less than women, and the poor sleep less than the wealthy.

Computer models may reveal what makes human body clock tick

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 00:54:00 PST

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh are using digital technology to develop an artificial body clock which can tell them more about the causes of sleeplessness. The computer-designed clock, which mimics the workings of key genes and proteins in the brain, can shed new light on the complex biological processes which influence our internal rhythms. The study is part of major Europe-wide investigation into sleep disturbance, which is a growing problem in the EU where one in every five employees now works shifts.

New fruit fly protein JET illuminates circadian response to light

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 02:26:00 PST

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified a new protein required for the circadian response to light in fruit flies. The discovery of this protein named JET brings investigators one step closer to understanding the process by which the body's internal clock synchronizes to light. Understanding how light affects circadian (24-hour) rhythms will likely open doors to future treatments of jetlag.

CBT More Effective Than Zopiclone in Insomnia

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 02:48:00 PST

Patients with insomnia who implemented cognitive behavioral therapy interventions such as relaxation techniques had greater improvement in their sleep than patients who received the sleep medication zopiclone, according to a study in the June 28 issue of JAMA.

Severe hot flashes associated with chronic insomnia

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 03:57:00 PST

Women who have severe hot flashes may have more chronic sleep problems than women who do not, according to a report in the June 26 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Acting out vivid dreams may forewarn of more serious illness

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 13:08:00 PST

Mayo Clinic sleep medicine specialists have found that almost two-thirds of patients with REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) develop degenerative brain diseases by approximately 11 years after diagnosis of RBD.

Mushroom bodies regulate sleep like a snooze button

Thu, 08 Jun 2006 05:37:00 PST

With help from some drowsy fruit flies, a team of researchers from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has identified a region of the fruit fly's brain that is crucial to controlling sleep.

Melatonin Most Effective For Sleep When Taken For Off-Hour Sleeping

Sun, 07 May 2006 19:43:00 PST

Researchers from the Divisions of Sleep Medicine at Brigham and Womens Hospital and Harvard Medical School have found in a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study, that melatonin, taken orally during non-typical sleep times, significantly improves an individuals ability to sleep.

Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders exhibit altered sleeping and eating patterns

Sun, 07 May 2006 19:08:00 PST

Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) suffer from a variety of behavioral alterations. For example, they may exhibit alterations in sleeping and eating patterns, which may indicate that their circadian systems which control biological rhythms have been affected by alcohol exposure during development. A rodent study in the May issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research confirms that alcohol exposure during a period equivalent to the third human trimester influences the ability to synchronize circadian rhythms to light cues.

Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation: An Unmet Public Health Problem

Thu, 06 Apr 2006 05:36:00 PST

It is estimated that 50 to 70 million Americans chronically suffer from a disorder of sleep and wakefulness, hindering daily functioning and adversely affecting health and longevity. The cumulative long-term effects of sleep loss and sleep disorders have been associated with a wide range of deleterious health consequences including an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, and stroke.
Hundreds of billions of dollars a year are spent on direct medical costs associated with doctor visits, hospital services, prescriptions, and over-the-counter medications. Almost 20 percent of all serious car crash injuries in the general population are associated with driver sleepiness, independent of alcohol effects.
Despite such huge societal consequences and costs, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) finds that the cumulative effects of sleep loss and sleep disorders are "under- recognized" and "awareness among the general public and health care professionals is low given the magnitude of the burden

Children who sleep less are three times more likely to be overweight

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 13:15:00 PST

The less a child sleeps, the more likely he or she is to become overweight, according to researchers from Université Laval's Faculty of Medicine in an article published in the latest edition of the International Journal of Obesity. The risk of becoming overweight is 3.5 times higher in children who get less sleep than in those who sleep a lot, according to researchers Jean-Philippe Chaput, Marc Brunet, and Angelo Tremblay.

Studies by Brown, Lifespan scientists are at cutting edge of sleep research

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 22:23:00 PST

A new poll of teenagers across the US finds that many of them are losing out on quality of life because of a lack of sleep. The results, announced today by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), cite sleeping in class, lack of energy to exercise, feelings of depression, and driving while drowsy as only some of the consequences for insufficient sleep.

Body clock could be re-set: Research

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 17:53:00 PST

The body clock that plays a major role in our metal and physical health could be re-set to help people working in swing shifts, experiencing jet lag or facing depression, says a new study.

Association noted between sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease

Thu, 10 Nov 2005 17:43:00 PST

In the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, two studies draw attention to the newly recognized association between sleep disorders and heart trouble. The relevance of these studies to patients with sleep apnea is discussed in an accompanying editorial by Virend Somers, M.D., Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic cardiologist. The first study, on the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for patients with central sleep apnea and heart failure, was led by T. Douglas Bradley, M.D., of Toronto General Hospital. The other study on obstructive sleep apnea as a risk factor for stroke and death was led by H. Klar Yaggi, M.D., of Yale Center for Sleep Medicine.

Avoid jet lag by resetting body clock

Wed, 02 Nov 2005 11:53:00 PST

A simple, at-home treatment -- a single light box and the over-the-counter drug melatonin -- allows travelers to avoid jet lag by resetting their circadian body clock before crossing several time zones, according to new research being published in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. This treatment can also help those with delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS), a persistent condition that results from a misalignment between a person's internal biological clock and the external social environment.

Thousands of Australians are dangerously sleepy at work

Thu, 08 Sep 2005 00:22:00 PST

Thousands of Australians are dangerously sleepy while driving and at work, say Monash researchers.

Clocking in Pillow Time without the Pillow

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 04:10:00 PST

If you snooze, you lose those uncomely grayish-brown crescents below your eyes. If you dont snooze, you lose a lot more. The body cant fight off infection, the muscles cant regenerate as quickly, the mind cant learn new words, and the eyes cant focus on the road. You also gain things: a bad mood and increased risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart problems. Indeed, the effects of sleep deprivation can be so serious that some sleep scientists liken lifetime sleep debt to a heavy backpack: every sleep hour missed adds an extra pound to your pack until it weighs you down.

Genetic disease offers clues to SIDS, sleep apnea

Tue, 12 Jul 2005 13:02:00 PST

Imagine raising a child who stops breathing when falling asleep and has to be reminded to visit the bathroom after drinking a Big Gulp. That's the dilemma faced by parents of children born with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS). Afflicting about 250 children in the United States, the genetic disease wreaks havoc in areas of the brain that control involuntary actions such as breathing, fluid regulation and heart function.

Serotonin appears to modulate circardian rhythm

Sun, 10 Jul 2005 15:41:00 PST

Ramelteon demonstrates no abuse potential

Tue, 24 May 2005 12:42:00 PST

Results of a clinical study indicated that ramelteon, an investigational compound currently under review by the FDA for insomnia treatment, had no more potential for abuse than placebo in individuals with a history of polydrug abuse. These results, presented at the 2005 American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting, showed that patients exhibited no abuse potential or behavioral impairment at up to 20 times the proposed therapeutic dose of ramelteon compared to placebo.

Overworked brains release adenosine to trigger sleep process

Thu, 21 Apr 2005 20:14:00 PST

Why people get drowsy and fall asleep, and how caffeine blocks that process, are the subjects of a new study by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Infant Sleep: A Precursor to Adult Sleep?

Tue, 19 Apr 2005 17:12:00 PST

Sleep is absolutely essential for well-being. Just ask one of the 40 million Americans with sleep disorders who suffer crippling fatigue, impaired judgment, irritability, moodiness, and myriad health problems. Still, its precise function remains unclear. An intriguing role for REM sleepthe stage most closely associated with dreamingwas suggested almost 40 years ago when sleep researchers Howard Roffwarg and William Dement discovered that babies spend far more time in REM sleep than adultsprompting their hypothesis that infant REM sleep plays a role in central nervous system development.

Possible clues to Obesity's association with Insomnia

Tue, 12 Apr 2005 23:31:00 PST

Unconventional wiring of the brain circuits that govern sleep and waking might explain the prevalence of insomnia and the condition's association with obesity, according to new work published in the April issue of Cell Metabolism.

Music improves sleep quality in older adults

Thu, 07 Apr 2005 18:17:00 PST

Sleep, a vital ingredient in life, can sometimes become difficult as humans get older. But a recent study by researchers at Case Western Reserve University's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing and the Buddhist Tzu-Chi General Hospital in Taiwan shows that listening to soft music at bedtime will help older adults sleep better and longer.