REM latency in Alzheimer's disease.

Latency to the first episode of rapid eye movement sleep (REML) has been proposed as a potential biomarker for Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we compared REML values from 28 AD patients and 28 age- and sex-matched controls. We employed multiple definitions of REML and multiple cutoffs to classify patients and controls. Results indicated that the best REML definition and optimal cutoff criterion resulted in only 65% correct classifications. We discuss the longer REML in AD patients relative to controls in terms of both overall sleep disturbance and selective deterioration of the REM-cholinergic system. As REML may be relatively short in other forms of psychopathology (e.g., affective disorders), REML may still hold promise in the differential diagnosis of dementia and pseudodementia.

Binding kinetics of delta opioid receptors differ for microsomal and synaptic sites.

Earlier, we demonstrated that agonist binding to synaptic plasma membranes involves a multi-step association process. In this study, high affinity binding kinetics of an agonist, [3H]D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin (DADLE), to delta sites on bovine hippocampal microsomal and synaptic plasma membranes (SPM) were compared. delta site selectivity of DADLE was ensured by suppressing undesirable mu site binding with 20 nM unlabeled D-Ala2-MePhe4-Glyol5-enkephalin. The kinetics of receptor binding to microsomal delta sites are generally more rapid than those of SPMs. Furthermore, the association time-dependent rate of dissociation, which is readily observed with SPMs, was not detected for microsomal binding sites. Although the apparent KD of DADLE did not differ significantly from that in SPMs, kinetic analysis indicated that little or no formation of the high affinity, slowly dissociating, complex occurred with microsomes. The absence of this complex, shown previously in SPMs to be most sensitive to guanine nucleotides, appeared to account for the attenuated effect of guanyl 5'-yl-imidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] on dissociation from microsomes. Nevertheless, the presence in microsomes of inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding proteins was demonstrated by specific 32P-labeling by pertussis toxin of bands at 39 and 41 kDa, attributable to the alpha subunit of Go and Gi, respectively. The action of 100 mM Na+ to increase the off-rate is similar for both preparations. In contrast, addition of Mn2+ reduced the rates of association and dissociation for both subcellular fractions. The off-rate in the presence of Mn2+ is similar for SPMs and microsomes, displaying association time-dependent rates of dissociation for both. To determine whether Mn2+ promotes coupling in microsomes, the effect of Gpp(NH)p was examined. After a 60-min association, Gpp(NH)p did not affect microsomal kinetics but increased the off-rate from SPMs. The actions of both Na+ and Mn2+ appear to be mediated at early steps in the association process.

Risk factors for sleep disordered breathing in heterogeneous geriatric populations.

This cross-sectional, multivariate study investigated associations between sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and putative risk factors in a heterogeneous group of 720 individuals over the age of 50 years studied during all-night in-lab polysomnography. Results indicated that: aged men were more likely to show impaired respiration during sleep than aged women; excessive daytime somnolence and parasomniac symptoms (snoring, gasping during sleep) were associated with SDB but insomnia was not; obesity accounted for more variance in SDB than age per se, implying that the prevalence of SDB in some elderly persons could be related to the deposition of body fat seen as individuals grow older. All four risk factors (age, sex, obesity, and symptomatic status) were statistically significant and independent predictors of impaired respiration in sleep in the elderly.

A comparison of microsomal and synaptic delta site binding kinetics.

High-affinity binding of the agonist, [3H]D-ala2-D-leu5-enkephalin (DADLE), to delta sites on bovine hippocampal synaptic plasma membranes (SPM) entails a multi-step association process. Microsomal binding sites, which are thought to originate from internal membranes (golgi, ser, etc.), display kinetic patterns that differ from SPMs. This is evidenced by the absence of an association time dependent rate of dissociation from microsomal binding sites. Although high affinity steady state binding of agonists to microsomes occurs, kinetic analysis indicates little or no formation of the high affinity slowly dissociating complex. This slowly dissociating complex of SPMs is most sensitive to guanine nucleotides. Consequently, the effect of Gpp(NH)p on dissociation is significantly less for microsomes.