Multiple sleep latency tests during the constant routine.

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/1455121

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General Info

Authors

Dement WC, Carskadon MA

Affiliation

E.P. Bradley Hospital/Brown University, Sleep Research Laboratory, East Providence, Rhode Island 02915.

Abstract

The "post-lunch dip" is a common behavioral phenomenon, though perhaps a misnomer. Biphasic models of the human sleep tendency rhythm suggest an alternative explanation for the afternoon decline in alertness. Sleep tendency was measured with the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) at 2-hour intervals in 16 volunteers from three age groups (ages 10-12, ages 16-17, ages 62-74 years) during a constant routine in which small meals were given each hour. Baseline scores showed no significant Time of Day effect, although a trend for an afternoon dip was present in the eldest group. During the constant routine, a significant Time of Day effect was found for the two older groups and not for the prepubertal group. The results indicate a midday increase in sleep tendency that is unrelated to food intake but that may be related to developmental or maturational processes.

PMID
1455121

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't