Circadian hormonal rhythms in two new cases of fatal familial insomnia

Acta Neurol (Napoli). 1991 Dec;13(6):574-6.

Abstract

We used a chronobiological inferential statistical method to investigate circadian rhythms of hypophyseal hormones, cortisol, melatonin and catecholamines in two females of the same family affected by fatal familial insomnia. Case 1 (confirmed at autopsy) presented an absent or progressive loss of circadian rhythms of all hormones. In case 2 there was a loss of GH circadian rhythm and a less significant rhythm for melatonin, catecholamines and gonadotropins. These results confirm the role of the thalamus in regulating hormonal circadian rhythm.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chromosome Aberrations / genetics*
  • Chromosome Disorders
  • Circadian Rhythm / genetics*
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology
  • Dysautonomia, Familial / blood
  • Dysautonomia, Familial / genetics*
  • Female
  • Genes, Dominant / genetics*
  • Hormones / blood*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / blood
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / genetics*
  • Thalamus / physiopathology

Substances

  • Hormones