Sleep
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Sleep is controlled by both circadian and homeostatic mechanisms. As the light-dark cycle is the most important time cue in humans, blind individuals may have circadian rhythm disorders including sleep. The aim of the study was to assess sleep with simultaneous measurement of an endogenous marker of the circadian clock, namely 6-sulphatoxymelatonin (aMT6s). ⋯ Changes in sleep and activity rhythms reflect changes in circadian phase.
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Periodic leg movements of sleep are currently subdivided based upon whether or not they are associated with EEG arousal. "Autonomic" arousals, characterized by elevations in heart rate and blood pressure without AASM-defined EEG changes, have been associated with daytime somnolence in experimental protocols. In this study, we will describe the heart rate response to periodic leg movements of sleep, both with and without associated arousals. ⋯ Periodic leg movements of sleep are associated with cardiac acceleration, even in the absence of AASM-defined arousal. It appears premature to conclude that periodic leg movements of sleep not associated with visible EEG arousal are clinically insignificant.