Melatonin Rhythm and Its Relation to Sleep and Circadian Parameters in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Introduction: Sleep problems are prevalent among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and a role has been attributed to melatonin in this multifactorial comorbidity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 41 autistic children and adolescents (9.9 ± 3.02) and 24 children and adolescents with a normal intellectual function (8.42 ± 2.43) were used as controls. Subjects were matched for sex, body mass index, and pubertal stage, and all were drug-naive. Circadian and sleep parameters were studied using an ambulatory circadian monitoring (ACM) device, and saliva samples were collected around the onset of sleep to determine dim light melatonin onset (DLMO). Results: Prepubertal individuals with ASD presented later DLMO and an earlier decline in melatonin during adolescence. A relationship was found between melatonin and both sleep and circadian parameters. Participants and controls with later DLMOs were more likely to have delayed sleep onset times. In the ASD group, subjects with the later daytime midpoint of temperature had a later DLMO. Later melatonin peak time and DLMO time were related to lower general motor activity and lower stability of its rhythms. Conclusion: The melatonin secretion pattern was different in individuals with ASD, and it showed a relationship with sleep and circadian parameters. Alterations in DLMO have not been previously reported in ASD with the exception of more variable DLMO timing; however, high variability in the study design and sample characteristics prevents direct comparison. The ACM device enabled the measurement of circadian rhythm, a scarcely described parameter in autistic children. When studied in combination with other measures such as melatonin, ACM can offer further knowledge on sleep problems in ASD.

Comparison of the effectiveness of two educational interventions on sleep quality in older adults: a randomized clinical trial / Comparación de la efectividad de dos intervenciones educativas sobre la calidad del sueño en ancianos: un ensayo clínico aleatorizado / Comparação de eficácia de duas intervenções educativas na qualidade do sono de idosos: ensaio clínico randomizado

ABSTRACT Objective: to compare the effectiveness of an educational intervention mediated by a booklet with verbal nursing guidelines in improving sleep quality in older adults. Method: this is a randomized, single-blind clinical trial, carried out with 126 older adults, of which 62 were allocated in group 1, who received health education using an educational booklet, and 64 in group 2, who were exposed to health education with verbal nursing guidelines. Sleep quality was verified by the Pittsburgh Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and variable minutes that it takes to sleep. In order to compare the pre and post-tests, within the group, the Wilcoxon and chi-square tests were used. Status change was assessed using McNemar's chi-square test. To compare groups, Mann-Whitney and chi-square were used. The significance level was 5%. Results: older adults in both groups showed improvement in sleep quality (p > 0.05) after the interventions. There was no statistically significant difference between the interventions. Conclusion: the educational intervention mediated by a booklet and verbal nursing guidelines were equally effective in improving older adults' sleep quality. RBR-993xf7.

RESUMEN Objetivo: comparar la efectividad de una intervención educativa mediada por un cuadernillo con orientaciones verbales de enfermería en la mejora de la calidad del sueño en ancianos. Método: ensayo clínico aleatorizado, simple ciego, realizado con 126 ancianos, de los cuales 62 fueron asignados al grupo 1, que recibieron educación en salud mediante cartilla educativa, y 64 al grupo 2, que fueron expuestos a la educación en salud con orientaciones verbales de enfermería. La calidad del sueño se evaluó mediante el Índice de Pittsburgh, la Escala de Somnolencia de Epworth y la cantidad variable de minutos que se tarda en dormir. Para comparar las pruebas previas y posteriores, dentro del grupo, se utilizaron las pruebas de Wilcoxon y Chi-Cuadrado. El cambio de estado se evaluó mediante la prueba Chi-Cuadrado de McNemar. Para la comparación de grupos se utilizaron las Pruebas de Mann-Whitney y Chi-Cuadrado. El nivel de significación fue del 5%. Resultados: los ancianos de ambos grupos mostraron mejoría en la calidad del sueño (p > 0,05) después de las intervenciones. No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre las intervenciones. Conclusión: la intervención educativa mediada por cuadernillo y orientaciones verbales de enfermería fueron igualmente efectivas en la mejora de la calidad del sueño de los ancianos. RBR-993xf7.

RESUMO Objetivo: comparar a eficácia de intervenção educativa mediada por cartilha com orientações verbais de enfermagem na melhora da qualidade do sono de idosos. Método: ensaio clínico randomizado, simples-cego, realizado com 126 idosos, dos quais 62 foram alocados no grupo 1, que recebeu educação em saúde com uso de cartilha educativa, e 64 no grupo 2, que foram expostos à educação em saúde com orientações verbais de enfermagem. A qualidade do sono foi verificada pelo Índice de Pittsburgh, Escala de Sonolência de Epworth e variável minutos que leva para dormir. Para comparar os pré e pós-testes, intragrupo, utilizaram-se os Testes de Wilcoxon e Qui-Quadrado. A mudança de status foi avaliada pelo Teste Qui-Quadrado de McNemar. Para comparar grupos, utilizou-se Mann-Whitney e Qui-Quadrado. O nível de significância foi de 5%. Resultados: os idosos de ambos os grupos apresentaram melhora na qualidade do sono (p > 0,05) após as intervenções. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as intervenções. Conclusão a intervenção educativa mediada por cartilha e as orientações verbais de enfermagem foram igualmente eficazes na melhora da qualidade do sono de idosos. RBR-993xf7.

The role of serotonin in ventrolateral preoptic area on sleep-wakefulness cycle of rat / 中国药理学通报

AIM To study the role of serot on in (5-HT) in ventrolateral preoptic nucleus(VLPO) on sleep and wakefulness cycl e of rat by microinjection of 5-hydroxytryptaphan (5-HTP , precursor of 5-HT ) , non-special 5-HT receptor antagonist methysergide (MS) and 5-HT retake i nhibitor fluoxetine. METHODS Stereotaxic, microinjection and po lysomnography (PSG) were used in the experiment. RESULTS There was no significant effect by microinjection of 5-HTP(0 5 ?g,0 1 ?l) into VLPO,but microinjection of 5-HTP(1 ?g,0 1 ?l)and fluoxetine lead wake i ncreased and sleep decreased; while microinjection of non-selective serotonin receptor antagonist MS lead to the opposited effect. The chang of sleep-wakefu lness cycle caused by 5-HTP or MS were significantly assiociated with time. CONCLUSION 5-HT involved in the regulation of sleep-wake cycle a nd promoted wake in the VLPO and its role of promotion may involve the gene exp ression of post-synaptic neurons.