ABSTRACT
We investigated the influence of melatonin on the human autonomic functions by measuring muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA). Five healthy male volunteers took 3 mg of melatonin, and their plasma melatonin concentration, blood pressure, heart rate, and burst rate of MSNA were then recorded. The peak level of melatonin concentration showed a marked interindividual variation. Blood pressure was reduced significantly, while heart rate and burst rate of MSNA did not change significantly. These results indicate that melatonin has a hypotensive effect on blood pressure, and the central cardiovascular regulatory mechanism such as lowering of the baroreflex setpoint would be involved in the effect.
Subject(s)
Blood Pressure/drug effects , Heart Rate/drug effects , Heart Rate/physiology , Melatonin/pharmacology , Administration, Oral , Baroreflex/drug effects , Electroencephalography , Humans , Male , Melatonin/administration & dosage , Melatonin/blood , Peroneal Nerve/drug effectsABSTRACT
Panic attacks meeting the diagnostic criteria for panic disorder (DSM-III-R) were found in nine (20%) of 45 patients suffering chronic schizophrenia for more than 5 years. The scores of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Simpson Angus Scale were significantly higher in the group of patients with panic attacks. They also tended to be taking neuroleptics in larger doses than in the other group. The present report suggests that long-term treatment with neuroleptics is closely related to the manifestation of panic attacks in chronic schizophrenia. It also suggests that when panic attacks are seen frequently in patients taking high doses of neuroleptics, dose reduction of neuroleptics should be considered.
