The role of the thalamus in sleep, pineal melatonin production, and circadian rhythm sleep disorders.
The thalamus has a strong nonphotic influence on sleep, circadian rhythmicity, pineal melatonin production, and secretion. The opening of the sleep gate for nonrapid eye movement sleep is a thalamic function but it is assisted by melatonin which acts by promoting spindle formation. Thus, melatonin has a modulatory influence on sleep onset and maintenance. A remarkable similarity exists between spindle behavior, circadian rhythmicity, and pineal melatonin production throughout life. Together, the thalamic and chronobiological control of sleep leads to a new and improved understanding of the pathophysiology of circadian rhythm sleep disorders and also of the principles of sleep hygiene interventions.
Jan
James E
JE
Melatonin Research Group, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada. jjan@cw.bc.ca
Reiter
Russel J
RJ
Wasdell
Michael B
MB
Bax
Martin
M