[Physiology and pathophysiology of sleep].
Human sleep is characterized by the cyclic occurrence of nonREM and REM periods and by distinct patterns of nocturnal hormone secretion. A host of factors may result in disturbed sleep, including normal aging and depression. In both states, similar changes in sleep-endocrine activity occur, including decreases in slow wave sleep and in growth hormone secretion. Preclinical investigations and studies by our laboratory in young and elderly normal controls and in patients with depression demonstrate that neuropeptides play a key role in sleep regulation. As an example, growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) is a common stimulus of slow wave sleep and growth hormone release, whereas corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) exerts opposite effects. We suggest that an imbalance of both peptides in favor of CRH contributes to changes in sleep-endocrine activity during depression and aging.
Max-Planck-Institut für Psychiatrie, Klinisches Institut, Psychiatrische Klinik, München.
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Steiger
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000502:physiology
D006728:Hormones; D009479:Neuropeptides
Physiologie und Pathophysiologie des Schlafes.