Sleep propensity free-runs with the temperature, melatonin and cortisol rhythms in a totally blind person.
In previous studies, we found that many totally blind people have free-running melatonin rhythms, but that free-running melatonin rhythms were not necessarily associated with periodic insomnia and daytime sleepiness. Thus, it was not clear if the circadian sleep propensity rhythm was free-running with the other circadian rhythms. In the present study, we report that the sleep propensity rhythm (as defined by an ultrashort sleep-wake schedule) free-ran with the melatonin, temperature and cortisol rhythms in a 44-year-old totally blind man even though he maintained a conventional sleep schedule and did not complain of clinically significant insomnia or excessive daytime sleepiness.
Nakagawa
H
H
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201.
Sack
R L
RL
Lewy
A J
AJ
D000328:Adult; D001766:Blindness / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000502:physiology; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*
D008550:Melatonin; D006854:Hydrocortisone