CONTEXT: Neuroendocrine alterations, with well-known links with health, may offer insight into why poor sleep is associated with poor health. Yet, studies testing associations between sleep and neuroendocrine activity in children are scarce. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether actigraphy-based sleep pattern is associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis and sympatho-adrenal-medullary system activity in children. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a birth cohort in Helsinki, Finland. PARTICIPANTS: We studied 282 8-yr-old children. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We measured diurnal salivary cortisol and salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase (a sympatho-adrenal-medullary system marker) responses to the Trier Social Stress Test for Children (TSST-C). RESULTS: Children with short (<or=7.7 h) vs. average sleep duration (7.8-9.3 h) displayed higher cortisol awakening response and nadir (P < 0.042). Those with low (<or=77.4%) vs. average-high sleep efficiency (>77.4%) displayed higher diurnal cortisol levels across the entire day (P < 0.03), higher cortisol levels after the TSST-C stressor (P < 0.04), and higher overall alpha-amylase levels across the entire TSST-C protocol (P < 0.05). The effects were not confounded by factors that may alter sleep or hormonal patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Poor sleep may signal altered neuroendocrine functioning in children. The findings may offer insight into the pathways linking poor sleep with poor health.
CONTEXT: Neuroendocrine alterations, with well-known links with health, may offer insight into why poor sleep is associated with poor health. Yet, studies testing associations between sleep and neuroendocrine activity in children are scarce. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether actigraphy-based sleep pattern is associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis and sympatho-adrenal-medullary system activity in children. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a birth cohort in Helsinki, Finland. PARTICIPANTS: We studied 282 8-yr-old children. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We measured diurnal salivary cortisol and salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase (a sympatho-adrenal-medullary system marker) responses to the Trier Social Stress Test for Children (TSST-C). RESULTS:Children with short (<or=7.7 h) vs. average sleep duration (7.8-9.3 h) displayed higher cortisol awakening response and nadir (P < 0.042). Those with low (<or=77.4%) vs. average-high sleep efficiency (>77.4%) displayed higher diurnal cortisol levels across the entire day (P < 0.03), higher cortisol levels after the TSST-C stressor (P < 0.04), and higher overall alpha-amylase levels across the entire TSST-C protocol (P < 0.05). The effects were not confounded by factors that may alter sleep or hormonal patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Poor sleep may signal altered neuroendocrine functioning in children. The findings may offer insight into the pathways linking poor sleep with poor health.
Authors: Burel R Goodin; Michael T Smith; Noel B Quinn; Christopher D King; Lynanne McGuire Journal: Biol Psychol Date: 2012-03-16 Impact factor: 3.251
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Authors: Jessica J Chiang; Joanna J Kim; David M Almeida; Julienne E Bower; Ronald E Dahl; Michael R Irwin; Heather McCreath; Andrew J Fuligni Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2017-07-17 Impact factor: 5.012
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