scholarly journals Insomnia: psychological and neurobiological aspects and non-pharmacological treatments

2014 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yara Fleury Molen ◽  
Luciane Bizari Coin Carvalho ◽  
Lucila Bizari Fernandes do Prado ◽  
Gilmar Fernandes do Prado

Insomnia involves difficulty in falling asleep, maintaining sleep or having refreshing sleep. This review gathers the existing informations seeking to explain insomnia, including those that focus on psychological aspects and those considered neurobiological. Insomnia has been defined in psychological (cognitive components, such as worries and rumination, and behavioral aspects, such as classic conditioning) and physiological terms (increased metabolic rate, with increased muscle tone, heart rate and temperature). From the neurobiological point of view, there are two perspectives: one which proposes that insomnia occurs in association with a failure to inhibit wakefulness and another that considers hyperarousal as having an important role in the physiology of sleep. The non-pharmacological interventions developed to face different aspects of insomnia are presented.

1984 ◽  
Vol 247 (4) ◽  
pp. H495-H507 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. E. Ford

The question of the proper size denominator for metabolic indices is addressed. Metabolic rate among different species is proportional to the 3/4 power of body weight, not surface area. Muscle power also varies with the 3/4 power of weight, suggesting that metabolic rate is determined mainly by muscle power. Power-to-weight ratio, specific metabolic rate, and a number of metabolic periods, including heart rate, all vary inversely with the 1/4 power of body weight. Thus the relative times required for physiological and pathological processes in different species may be estimated from the average resting heart rate for the species. There are not many small humans among athletic record holders in events involving acceleration and hill climbing, as would be expected if they had higher power-to-weight ratios. Thus the relationship between size and metabolic rate in different species should not be applied within the single species of humans. Evidence is reviewed showing that basal metabolic rate in humans is determined mainly by lean body mass.


1957 ◽  
Vol 190 (3) ◽  
pp. 425-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard M. Hoar ◽  
William C. Young

Oxygen consumption and heart rate during pregnancy were measured in untreated, thyroxin-injected and thyroidectomized guinea pigs given I131. From impregnation until parturition, oxygen consumption increased 7.9% in untreated females. The increase continued until 5 days postpartum when a sharp decrease occurred. The increase is not accounted for by growth of the fetal mass. Comparable increases occurred in thyroxin-injected (16.2%) and thyroidectomized (11.9%) females, although the levels throughout were higher and lower, respectively, than in intact females. Heart rate did not increase. On the contrary, statistically significant decreases occurred in the untreated and thyroxin-injected females. Although the mechanism associated with the increased metabolic rate is not known, the possibility of thyroid participation would seem to be excluded. Involvement of the adrenal cortex is suggested by morphological differences in the cells of the zona fasciculata in pregnant and nonpregnant females and by evidence cited from other studies.


Author(s):  
C. SEAUX ◽  
K. GOEDSEELS ◽  
J. DE LEPELEIRE

Sexually inappropriate behaviour in a patient with dementia: literature review and case report In this paper, the medical history of a 75-year-old man with dementia and sexually inappropriate behaviour (SIB) is described. An overview of the literature regarding the approach and treatment of SIB in persons with dementia was performed. PubMed, Web of Science and the Cochrane database were consulted, and thirteen articles selected. There are no randomised controlled trials available. The literature is limited to case studies and reviews of case studies. Non-pharmacological treatments are perceived to be the first step, although they are rarely studied. There is no consensus regarding a pharmacological approach. However, all studies suggest the paradigm of “start low and go slow”. A variety of drugs have been described. When starting a pharmacological treatment, it is recommended to keep in mind comorbidities and possible side-effects. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) seem to be the preferred first line treatment if the behaviour is not too harmful. If the behaviour is intrusive, anti-androgens seem to be the drug of choice. Further research is needed: a consensus regarding the definition and the development of a screening tool could support randomised controlled trials concerning pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Research concerning ethical dilemmas should, however, not be neglected.


Biofeedback ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 110-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Gevirtz

Heart rate variability biofeedback has enjoyed increased popularity in recent years. In this review, empirical evidence from multiple sources is presented from the point of view of possible mechanisms of effect. While more research is clearly needed, the data thus far are certainly promising.


SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A318-A319
Author(s):  
X Tan ◽  
C Benedict

Abstract Introduction Aging increases the risk of insomnia and elevated blood pressure (BP). Here, we examined in older men whether reports of difficulty falling asleep (DIS) and early morning awakenings (EMA) are associated with 24-h BP and heart rate. Methods We utilized variables from 995 men (mean age: 71 years) who participated in the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (ULSAM). BP and heart rate were measured over 24 hours. Results Non-dippers (night-to-day BP ratio > 0.90) had a higher risk of hypertension than dippers (systolic non-dippers vs. systolic dippers, OR [95%CI]: 1.64 [1.21, 2.21], P=0.001; diastolic non-dippers vs. diastolic dippers, 1.50 [1.10, 2.04], P=0.01). Compared to men without DIS, men who reported DIS (10% of the cohort) had a higher risk of diastolic non-dipping (1.85 [1.19, 2.87], P=0.006). Similarly, men who reported EMA (19% of the cohort) had a higher risk of diastolic non-dipping than those without EMA (1.59 [1.12, 2.24], P=0.009). Despite a slightly higher nocturnal diastolic BP among men with EMA vs. those without EMA (+1.4 mmHg, P=0.035), no other differences in BP and heart rate were found between men with and those without insomnia complaints. Conclusion Our findings uncover a link between disruption in nocturnal dipping of diastolic BP and insomnia symptoms related to difficulty initiating sleep and early morning awakening in older men. Support Authors’ work is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation (C.B., NNF19OC0056777), Swedish Brain Research Foundation (C.B., FO2019-0028), Swedish Research Council (C.B., 2015-03100), Åke Wiberg Foundation (X.T., M18-0169, M19-0266), Fredrik and Ingrid Thuring Foundation (X.T., 2018-00365), and the Swedish Medical Research Society (X.T., P18-0084).


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heiko T. Jansen ◽  
Brandon Evans Hutzenbiler ◽  
Hannah R. Hapner ◽  
Madeline L. McPhee ◽  
Anthony M. Carnahan ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTHibernation is characterized by suppression of many physiological processes. To determine if this state is reversible in a non-food caching species, we fed hibernating grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) glucose for 10 days to replace 53% or 100% of the estimated minimum daily energetic cost of hibernation. Feeding caused serum concentrations of glycerol and ketones (ß-hydroxybutyrate) to return to active season levels irrespective of the amount of glucose fed. By contrast, free-fatty acids and indices of metabolic rate, such as general activity, heart rate, and strength of the daily heart rate rhythm and insulin sensitivity were restored to roughly 50% of active season levels. Body temperature was unaffected by feeding. To determine the contribution of adipose to these metabolic effects of glucose feeding we cultured bear adipocytes collected at the beginning and end of the feeding and performed metabolic flux analysis. We found a roughly 33% increase in energy metabolism after feeding. Moreover, basal metabolism before feeding was 40% lower in hibernation cells compared to fed cells or active cells cultured at 37°C, thereby confirming the temperature independence of metabolic rate. The partial suppression of circulating FFA with feeding likely explains the incomplete restoration of insulin sensitivity and other metabolic parameters in hibernating bears. Further suppression of metabolic function is likely an active process. Together, the results provide a highly controlled model to examine the relationship between nutrient availability and metabolism on the hibernation phenotype in bears.


Author(s):  
Josephine M.S. ◽  
Lakshmanan L. ◽  
Resmi R. Nair ◽  
Visu P. ◽  
Ganesan R. ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose fo this paper is to Monitor and sense the sysmptoms of COVID-19 as a preliminary measure using electronic wearable devices. This variability is sensed by electrocardiograms observed from a multi-parameter monitor and electronic wearable. This field of interest has evolved into a wide area of investigation with today’s advancement in technology of internet of things for immediate sensing and processing information about profound pain. A window span is estimated and reports of profound pain data are used for monitoring heart rate variability (HRV). A median heart rate is considered for comparisons with a diverse range of variable information obtained from sensors and monitors. Observations from healthy patients are introduced to identify how root mean square of difference between inter beat intervals, standard deviation of inter-beat intervals and mean heart rate value are normalized in HRV analysis. Design/methodology/approach The function of a human heart relates back to the autonomic nervous system, which organizes and maintains a healthy maneuver of inter connected organs. HRV has to be determined for analyzing and reporting the status of health, fitness, readiness and possibilities for recovery, and thus, a metric for deeming the presence of COVID-19. Identifying the variations in heart rate, monitoring and assessing profound pain levels are potential lives saving measures in medical industries. Findings Experiments are proposed to be done in electrical and thermal point of view and this composition will deliver profound pain levels ranging from 0 to 10. Real time detection of pain levels will assist the care takers to facilitate people in an aging population for a painless lifestyle. Originality/value The presented research has documented the stages of COVID-19, symptoms and a mechanism to monitor the progress of the disease through better parameters. Risk factors of the disease are carefully analyzed, compared with test results, and thus, concluded that considering the HRV can study better in the presence of ignorance and negligence. The same mechanism can be implemented along with a global positioning system (GPS) system to track the movement of patients during isolation periods. Despite the stringent control measurements for locking down all industries, the rate of affected people is still on the rise. To counter this, people have to be educated about the deadly effects of COVID-19 and foolproof systems should be in place to control the transmission from affected people to new people. Medications to suppress temperatures, will not be sufficient to alter the heart rate variations, and thus, the proposed mechanism implemented the same. The proposed study can be extended to be associated with Government mobile apps for regular and a consortium of single tracking. Measures can be taken to distribute the low-cost proposal to people for real time tracking and regular updates about high and medium risk patients.


2003 ◽  
Vol 117 (3) ◽  
pp. 430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Fuglei ◽  
Nils A. Øritsland

This work was conducted to determine effect of season and starvation on metabolic rate during running in the Arctic Fox (Alopex lagopus) on Svalbard (78°55’N, 11°56’E), Norway. Indirect calorimetry was used to measure metabolic rate of foxes running on a treadmill and heart rate was monitored using implanted radio transmitters. The relationship between heart rate and metabolic rate was also examined. Metabolic rate increased with running speed. In July the metabolic rate during running almost fitted general equations predicted for mammals, while it was up to 20% lower in January, indicating seasonal variation in metabolic rate. There was a significant positive linear relationship between heart rate and weight specific metabolic rate, suggesting that heart rate can be used as an indicator of metabolic rate. Starvation for 11 days decreased the net cost of running by 13% in January and 17% in July, suggesting that a starved fox runs more energetically efficient than when fed. Heart rate measured in July decreased by 27% during starvation. Re-feeding reversed the starvation-induced reduction in metabolic rate and heart rate during running almost up to post-absorptive levels. The present results are from one fox, and must be considered as preliminary data until further studies are conducted.


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