Sleep Wake and Melatonin Pattern in Craniopharyngioma
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
The hypothalamus is a part of the brain containing a number of nuclei with a variety of functions. It is central in the regulation of hormone secretion, sleep, and circadian functions. The suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus is a key component in controlling circadian rhythms and generates the rhythm of melatonin secretion from the pineal gland and cortisol secretion. Both melatonin and cortisol are involved in the regulation of circadian rhythms and sleep.
Craniopharyngiomas are a type of brain tumors that usually affect the hypothalamus indirectly. In general, they are locally aggressive invading crucial structures e.g. the hypothalamus, the pituitary, and the optic nerve. Compared to healthy controls, craniopharyngioma patients have previously been reported with impaired quality of life, increased self-reported general and physical fatigue, increased daytime sleepiness, and increased prevalence of severe sleepiness
Damage to the hypothalamus by local tumour or its treatment might involve the suprachiasmatic nucleus and thereby melatonin secretion leading to disturbed circadian function causing clinical manifestations in terms of daytime sleepiness and fatigue.
The investigators aimed to assess the influence of craniopharyngiomas or their treatment on melatonin secretion, and the association with sleep pattern, sleep quality, fatigue, and sleepiness.
15 patients with craniopharyngioma and 15 gender, age, and BMI matched healthy controls were included. Salivary melatonin and cortisol were measured over a 24h-period. Sleep-wake patterns were characterized by two weeks of actigraphy recordings and sleep diaries. Sleepiness, fatigue, sleep quality, and general health were assessed by questionnaires.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
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Detailed Description
The hypothalamus is a part of the brain containing a number of nuclei with a variety of functions. It is central in the regulation of hormone secretion, sleep, and circadian functions. The suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus is a key component in controlling circadian rhythms and generates the rhythm of melatonin secretion from the pineal gland and cortisol secretion. Both melatonin and cortisol are involved in the regulation of circadian rhythms and sleep.
Craniopharyngiomas are a type of brain tumors that usually affect the hypothalamus indirectly. In general, they are locally aggressive invading crucial structures e.g. the hypothalamus, the pituitary, and the optic nerve. Compared to healthy controls, craniopharyngioma patients have previously been reported with impaired quality of life, increased self-reported general and physical fatigue, increased daytime sleepiness, and increased prevalence of severe sleepiness
Damage to the hypothalamus by local tumour or its treatment might involve the suprachiasmatic nucleus and thereby melatonin secretion leading to disturbed circadian function causing clinical manifestations in terms of daytime sleepiness and fatigue.
The investigators aimed to assess the influence of craniopharyngiomas or their treatment on melatonin secretion, and the association with sleep pattern, sleep quality, fatigue, and sleepiness.
15 patients with craniopharyngioma and 15 gender, age, and BMI matched healthy controls were included. Salivary melatonin and cortisol were measured over a 24h-period. Sleep-wake patterns were characterized by two weeks of actigraphy recordings and sleep diaries. Sleepiness, fatigue, sleep quality, and general health were assessed by questionnaires.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| craniopharyngioma Patients treated for craniopharyngioma, most of them on pituitary substitution therapy |
|
| Healthy controls matched for gender, age and BMI to the patients |
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- 24h melatonin and cortisol concentrations [1 year]
Secondary Outcome Measures
- actigraphy [1 year]
Measuring daily activity by actigraph measurements
Other Outcome Measures
- sleep-wake characteristics [1 year]
Sleep-wake pattern of individual participants measured by diaries
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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patients treated for former craniopharyngiomas
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aged 18-70 years.
Exclusion Criteria:
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insufficient substitution of pituitary hormone deficiencies within six months prior to inclusion
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total blindness
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clinically significant liver or renal disease
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use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs
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beta-receptor antagonists
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antidepressants that affect serotonin
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active cancer
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epileptic seizures
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working night-shift
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breast feeding
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pregnancy,
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alcohol or drug abuse
Contacts and Locations
Locations
No locations specified.Sponsors and Collaborators
- Rigshospitalet, Denmark
- Glostrup University Hospital, Copenhagen
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Ulla Feldt-Rasmussen, Professor, Rigshospitalet, Denmark
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- Cranio-sleep-melatonin