title: Headache in association with sleep disorders in children: a psychodiagnostic evaluation and controlled clinical study--L-5-HTP versus placebo.
abstract: Forty-eight elementary and junior high school students presenting the association of recurring headache and sleep disorders were selected for this study on the basis of a questionnaire filled out by the entire school population. The selected students had normal intellectual capacity but often showed inadequate progress in school, attentive-mnemonic deficiencies, and psychopathological elements of a depressive nature. The clinical characteristics predicted that this group would be responsive to treatment with L-5-hydroxytryptophan. The results of a double-blind, cross-over trial with placebo confirmed these expectations for headache and some sleep disorders, in particular frequent awakenings and some parasomnias.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Children's Psychiatry, University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Giorgis
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Miletto
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iannuccelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Camuffo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scerni
mesh_terms: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan