Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
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Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. · Oct 2009
Imaging and biomarkers in early Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment.
A major focus of research on aging and dementia pertains to the prediction of future cognitive decline. Toward this end, several longitudinal studies are under way that are designed to explore early predictors of cognitive impairment. Neuroimaging techniques and biomarkers have shown promise in this application. Ultimately, it is likely that the use of a combination of neuroimaging and chemical biomarkers will be involved in predicting the development of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
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Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. · Oct 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialUse of transdermal melatonin delivery to improve sleep maintenance during daytime.
Oral melatonin (MEL) can improve daytime sleep, but the hormone's short elimination half-life limits its use as a hypnotic in shift workers and individuals with jet lag or other sleep problems. Here we show, in healthy subjects, that transdermal delivery of MEL during the daytime can elevate plasma MEL and reduce waking after sleep onset, by promoting sleep in the latter part of an 8-h sleep opportunity. Transdermal MEL may have advantages over fast-release oral MEL in improving sleep maintenance during adverse circadian phases.