In Some Insomnia Patients, Brain Just Won't Shut Down
06.09.09, 12:00 PM EDT
Abnormal levels of a neurochemical are linked to sleep disorder, study finds
TUESDAY, June 9 (HealthDay News) -- Adults with primary insomnia have a neurochemical abnormality that makes it difficult to "shut down" the mind at night for sleep, new research has found.
Researchers measured the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in 16 adult men and women with primary insomnia and 16 men and women deemed normal sleepers.
Primary insomnia is difficulty falling sleep or staying asleep at night for over a period of at least one month, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Unlike most cases of insomnia, primary insomnia can't be attributed to a psychiatric, medical or environmental cause.
The new study found that people who had suffered from primary insomnia for more than six months had 30 percent lower levels of GABA.
GABA, the most common inhibitory transmitter in the brain, slows overall activity in many brain areas.
The research was to be presented June 9 at the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, in Seattle.
The findings suggest that primary insomnia is the result of a neurobiological state of hyperarousal, and that this state remains throughout the day and night, affecting the individual's mind and body, according to a news release from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. About one-quarter of people with insomnia have this type, the Academy stated.
Understanding that primary insomnia is associated with a specific neurochemical deficiency helps validate the often-misunderstood complaint of insomnia, explained lead study author Dr. John Winkelman of Brigham and Women's Hospital at Harvard Medical School in Boston.
"Recognition that insomnia has manifestations in the brain may increase the legitimacy of those who have insomnia and report substantial daytime consequences," Winkelman said. "Insomnia is not just a phenomenon observed at night, but has daytime consequences for energy, concentration and mood."
More information
The U.S. National Institutes of Health has more on primary insomnia.
domingo, 21 de junho de 2009
Study links primary insomnia to a neurochemical abnormality
Public release date: 9-Jun-2009
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Contact: Kelly Wagner
kwagner@aasmnet.org
708-492-0930
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Study links primary insomnia to a neurochemical abnormality
WESTCHESTER, Ill. – A research abstract that will be presented on Tuesday, June 9, at SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, is the first demonstration of a specific neurochemical abnormality in adults with primary insomnia (PI), providing greater insight to the limited understanding of the condition's pathology.
Results indicate that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the most common inhibitory transmitter in the brain, is reduced by nearly 30 percent in individuals who suffer from primary insomnia for more than six months. These findings suggest that primary insomnia is a manifestation of a neurobiological state of hyperarousal, which is present during both waking and sleep at physiological and cognitive levels.
According to principal investigator Dr. John Winkelman of Brigham and Women's Hospital, at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass., the recognition that primary insomnia is associated with a specific neurochemical deficiency helps validate the often misunderstood complaint of insomnia.
"Recognition that insomnia has manifestations in the brain may increase the legitimacy of those who have insomnia and report substantial daytime consequences," he said. "Insomnia is not just a phenomenon observed at night, but has daytime consequences for energy, concentration and mood."
The study included 16 non-medicated individuals (eight of whom were women) with PI and 16 individuals (seven women) who were deemed normal sleepers. Global brain GABA levels were measured in both groups. PI was established through clinical interviews, sleep diary, actigraphy use and polysomnograpy.
###
Winkelman published similar results in the Nov. 1, 2008, issue of the journal SLEEP.
A media fact sheet about insomnia is available from the AASM at http://www.aasmnet.org/Resources/FactSheets/Insomnia.pdf, and information for patients and the public is available at http://www.sleepeducation.com/Disorder.aspx?id=42.
The annual SLEEP meeting brings together an international body of 6,000 leading researchers and clinicians in the field of sleep medicine to present and discuss new findings and medical developments related to sleep and sleep disorders.
More than 1,300 research abstracts will be presented at the SLEEP meeting, a joint venture of the AASM and the Sleep Research Society. The three-and-a-half-day scientific meeting will bring to light new findings that enhance the understanding of the processes of sleep and aid the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders such as insomnia, narcolepsy and sleep apnea.
Abstract Title: Reduced brain GABA in primary insomnia: preliminary data from 4T proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS)
Presentation Date: Tuesday, June 9
Category: Sleep Disorders - Insomnia
Abstract ID: 0768
[ Print | E-mail | Share ] [ Close Window ]
Contact: Kelly Wagner
kwagner@aasmnet.org
708-492-0930
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Study links primary insomnia to a neurochemical abnormality
WESTCHESTER, Ill. – A research abstract that will be presented on Tuesday, June 9, at SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, is the first demonstration of a specific neurochemical abnormality in adults with primary insomnia (PI), providing greater insight to the limited understanding of the condition's pathology.
Results indicate that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the most common inhibitory transmitter in the brain, is reduced by nearly 30 percent in individuals who suffer from primary insomnia for more than six months. These findings suggest that primary insomnia is a manifestation of a neurobiological state of hyperarousal, which is present during both waking and sleep at physiological and cognitive levels.
According to principal investigator Dr. John Winkelman of Brigham and Women's Hospital, at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass., the recognition that primary insomnia is associated with a specific neurochemical deficiency helps validate the often misunderstood complaint of insomnia.
"Recognition that insomnia has manifestations in the brain may increase the legitimacy of those who have insomnia and report substantial daytime consequences," he said. "Insomnia is not just a phenomenon observed at night, but has daytime consequences for energy, concentration and mood."
The study included 16 non-medicated individuals (eight of whom were women) with PI and 16 individuals (seven women) who were deemed normal sleepers. Global brain GABA levels were measured in both groups. PI was established through clinical interviews, sleep diary, actigraphy use and polysomnograpy.
###
Winkelman published similar results in the Nov. 1, 2008, issue of the journal SLEEP.
A media fact sheet about insomnia is available from the AASM at http://www.aasmnet.org/Resources/FactSheets/Insomnia.pdf, and information for patients and the public is available at http://www.sleepeducation.com/Disorder.aspx?id=42.
The annual SLEEP meeting brings together an international body of 6,000 leading researchers and clinicians in the field of sleep medicine to present and discuss new findings and medical developments related to sleep and sleep disorders.
More than 1,300 research abstracts will be presented at the SLEEP meeting, a joint venture of the AASM and the Sleep Research Society. The three-and-a-half-day scientific meeting will bring to light new findings that enhance the understanding of the processes of sleep and aid the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders such as insomnia, narcolepsy and sleep apnea.
Abstract Title: Reduced brain GABA in primary insomnia: preliminary data from 4T proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS)
Presentation Date: Tuesday, June 9
Category: Sleep Disorders - Insomnia
Abstract ID: 0768
terça-feira, 9 de junho de 2009
Cutting Edge Fitness
http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/2009/05/hey-couch-potato-gotta-a-minute/
Hey, Couch Potato, Gotta a Minute?
by Missy Hawthorne 05/19/2009
“Park your car further away and walk a longer distance to the door of the market,” or “Take the steps instead of the elevator.” Most of you have probably heard these very familiar tips on how to work more physical activity into your day. But until recently, I don’t think people really understood the impact such changes could have on our health. Well now we do!
Scientists at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh found that a smaller amount of exercise than we ever dreamed possible can significantly reduce the chances of contracting type 2 diabetes. As Laura and Jim LaValle have so aptly described it, we have a “tsunami” of diabetes coming. So it’s important to know what we can do to prevent this disease.
Insulin resistance is the condition that leads to type 2 diabetes, and it is strongly linked with inactivity. When you are active, the muscles need more glucose for energy, and with the reinvigoration of the insulin receptors, glucose is moved out of the bloodstream and into the cells. However, studies have shown that to effectively reverse insulin resistance once you have it, exercise must be really vigorous and should be done at least one hour per day.
An exciting new study shows that if you get ahead of insulin resistance, it takes only 1 minute per day to possibly prevent it. You heard me right — 1 minute.
Professor James Timmons, who led the study, found that doing intense muscle exercises lasting only 30 seconds each, and done two to four times a day, dramatically improved post-prandial (after meal) blood sugar levels in just two weeks.1
The study was done in 16 inactive young men. They were instructed to do short bursts of cycling (30 seconds each), a minimum of two times per day. In that 30 seconds, they were told to cycle as fast as they could, and in just two short weeks, the men had a remarkable 23% improvement in insulin sensitivity.
Think about that again. An average workout time of 15 minutes over two weeks led to a 23% improvement in how efficiently insulin removed blood sugar from the blood stream. This study is a true example of how a little bit can go a long way!
If you are inactive, you have a much greater risk of becoming diabetic. Is a minute a day going to tone and sculpt your body? Probably not. However, if this one change could stop you from becoming diabetic, wouldn’t you do it? Of course you would!
There is only one caveat. During those two 30-second bursts, the exercise must be done vigorously. If you decide your health is worth a minute per day of your time, here are some vigorous activities you could try:
Cycling: Pedal as fast as you can with resistance for 30 seconds; recover by slowing down, allowing you heart rate to return to normal, and then repeat.
Stairs: Run or walk as quickly as you can up and down for 30 seconds; recover, then repeat.
Treadmill: Set on a high incline and walk or run uphill as fast as you can for 30 seconds; recover, then repeat.
Squat combination: While holding a light dumbbell in each hand, squat with weights at your side; as you stand, press weights overhead. Move as fast as you can for 30 seconds; recover, then repeat.
Jumping rope: 30 seconds; rest, repeat.
Jumping jacks: 30 seconds; rest, repeat.
If you have any physical injuries or impairments that would prevent you from doing these exercises, a trainer or physical therapist could design movements that would work for you.
So get moving. And when you park farther out in the parking lot, make that walk to the door a power walk!
Reference
Timmons, JA, et al. BMC Endocrine Disorders. 1009. 9(3) doi:10.1186/1472-6823-9-3.
[Ed. Note: Melissa Hawthorne, RN, BSN, CSCS is the owner of Priority Fitness Personal Training and Wellness. She is a Master Trainer for the Resist-a-ball Company, ISCA Personal Training, Kick-boxing, and Beamfit. Melissa serves as a fitness consultant for the LaValle Metabolic Institute. To learn more, click here.]
For more great articles like this delivered to your inbox, subscribe to our free natural health newsletter!
http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/2009/05/hey-couch-potato-gotta-a-minute/
Hey, Couch Potato, Gotta a Minute?
by Missy Hawthorne 05/19/2009
“Park your car further away and walk a longer distance to the door of the market,” or “Take the steps instead of the elevator.” Most of you have probably heard these very familiar tips on how to work more physical activity into your day. But until recently, I don’t think people really understood the impact such changes could have on our health. Well now we do!
Scientists at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh found that a smaller amount of exercise than we ever dreamed possible can significantly reduce the chances of contracting type 2 diabetes. As Laura and Jim LaValle have so aptly described it, we have a “tsunami” of diabetes coming. So it’s important to know what we can do to prevent this disease.
Insulin resistance is the condition that leads to type 2 diabetes, and it is strongly linked with inactivity. When you are active, the muscles need more glucose for energy, and with the reinvigoration of the insulin receptors, glucose is moved out of the bloodstream and into the cells. However, studies have shown that to effectively reverse insulin resistance once you have it, exercise must be really vigorous and should be done at least one hour per day.
An exciting new study shows that if you get ahead of insulin resistance, it takes only 1 minute per day to possibly prevent it. You heard me right — 1 minute.
Professor James Timmons, who led the study, found that doing intense muscle exercises lasting only 30 seconds each, and done two to four times a day, dramatically improved post-prandial (after meal) blood sugar levels in just two weeks.1
The study was done in 16 inactive young men. They were instructed to do short bursts of cycling (30 seconds each), a minimum of two times per day. In that 30 seconds, they were told to cycle as fast as they could, and in just two short weeks, the men had a remarkable 23% improvement in insulin sensitivity.
Think about that again. An average workout time of 15 minutes over two weeks led to a 23% improvement in how efficiently insulin removed blood sugar from the blood stream. This study is a true example of how a little bit can go a long way!
If you are inactive, you have a much greater risk of becoming diabetic. Is a minute a day going to tone and sculpt your body? Probably not. However, if this one change could stop you from becoming diabetic, wouldn’t you do it? Of course you would!
There is only one caveat. During those two 30-second bursts, the exercise must be done vigorously. If you decide your health is worth a minute per day of your time, here are some vigorous activities you could try:
Cycling: Pedal as fast as you can with resistance for 30 seconds; recover by slowing down, allowing you heart rate to return to normal, and then repeat.
Stairs: Run or walk as quickly as you can up and down for 30 seconds; recover, then repeat.
Treadmill: Set on a high incline and walk or run uphill as fast as you can for 30 seconds; recover, then repeat.
Squat combination: While holding a light dumbbell in each hand, squat with weights at your side; as you stand, press weights overhead. Move as fast as you can for 30 seconds; recover, then repeat.
Jumping rope: 30 seconds; rest, repeat.
Jumping jacks: 30 seconds; rest, repeat.
If you have any physical injuries or impairments that would prevent you from doing these exercises, a trainer or physical therapist could design movements that would work for you.
So get moving. And when you park farther out in the parking lot, make that walk to the door a power walk!
Reference
Timmons, JA, et al. BMC Endocrine Disorders. 1009. 9(3) doi:10.1186/1472-6823-9-3.
[Ed. Note: Melissa Hawthorne, RN, BSN, CSCS is the owner of Priority Fitness Personal Training and Wellness. She is a Master Trainer for the Resist-a-ball Company, ISCA Personal Training, Kick-boxing, and Beamfit. Melissa serves as a fitness consultant for the LaValle Metabolic Institute. To learn more, click here.]
For more great articles like this delivered to your inbox, subscribe to our free natural health newsletter!
http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/2009/05/hey-couch-potato-gotta-a-minute/
Dramatically reduce diabetes risk factors with just seven minutes of exercise per week
http://www.news.hw.ac.uk/news/4253-
Scientists at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh have found that short, intensive periods of exercise – involving as little as seven minutes per week – can significantly reduce the chances of contracting diabetes.
Professor James Timmons, who led the study, said, “It is clear that cardiovascular disease and type two diabetes are major health issues for western society. The risk of developing these diseases is substantially reduced through regular physical activity. But many people simply don’t have the time or inclination to follow government guidelines. What we have found is that doing a few intense muscle exercises, each lasting only about 30 seconds, dramatically improves your metabolism in just two weeks. The improvements in metabolism we measured are known to be critical for reducing your chance of getting diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the future."
The results of the study, which looked at the metabolism of twenty-five inactive young men over a two-week period, are contained in the latest edition of the journal BMC Endocrine Disorders. Each participant took part in bursts of exercise such as cycling. Although this only took a few minutes their bodies were dramatically better at processing a glucose drink taken after the training session. It appears that the insulin that they produced worked much more efficiently, with the excess glucose removed from the blood stream much more rapidly. Long-term exposure to excess glucose in the blood stream is a significant contributor to heart disease and stroke.
Professor Timmons added "What is often not appreciated, is that cardiovascular disease processes begin early in life, while diabetes is one of the biggest risk factors. What our study shows is that by doing the right type of training, intensive for very short periods, it is plausible for young, and most probably middle aged, adults to reduce their future risk for developing diabetes without spending 5-6 hours each week involved in exercise programs. The same effect could be achieved by just running up and down four flights of stairs three times twice a week. This novel approach may help people to lead a healthier life, improve the future health of the population and save the health service millions of pounds simply because they will have the time to fit it into their busy schedule early in adulthood."
The full article by Professor James Timmons, John A Babraj, Neils Vollaard, Cameron Keast, Fergus Guppy and Greg Cottrell, “Extremely short duration high intensity training substantially improves insulin action in young healthy males” is published in the online journal BMC Endocrine Disorders. http://www.biomedcentral.com/imedia/8949530282217067_article.pdf?random=12875
For more information or to arrange interviews with Professor James Timmons please contact Sarah Anne Munro or Peter Aitchison at McGarvie Morrison Media.
Sarahanne@mmm.pr ; 0141 229 6705; 07747 692157
peter@mmm.pr; 0141 229 6705; 07766 111244
Author: Administrator, Date Published: Jan 28, 2009
Scientists at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh have found that short, intensive periods of exercise – involving as little as seven minutes per week – can significantly reduce the chances of contracting diabetes.
Professor James Timmons, who led the study, said, “It is clear that cardiovascular disease and type two diabetes are major health issues for western society. The risk of developing these diseases is substantially reduced through regular physical activity. But many people simply don’t have the time or inclination to follow government guidelines. What we have found is that doing a few intense muscle exercises, each lasting only about 30 seconds, dramatically improves your metabolism in just two weeks. The improvements in metabolism we measured are known to be critical for reducing your chance of getting diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the future."
The results of the study, which looked at the metabolism of twenty-five inactive young men over a two-week period, are contained in the latest edition of the journal BMC Endocrine Disorders. Each participant took part in bursts of exercise such as cycling. Although this only took a few minutes their bodies were dramatically better at processing a glucose drink taken after the training session. It appears that the insulin that they produced worked much more efficiently, with the excess glucose removed from the blood stream much more rapidly. Long-term exposure to excess glucose in the blood stream is a significant contributor to heart disease and stroke.
Professor Timmons added "What is often not appreciated, is that cardiovascular disease processes begin early in life, while diabetes is one of the biggest risk factors. What our study shows is that by doing the right type of training, intensive for very short periods, it is plausible for young, and most probably middle aged, adults to reduce their future risk for developing diabetes without spending 5-6 hours each week involved in exercise programs. The same effect could be achieved by just running up and down four flights of stairs three times twice a week. This novel approach may help people to lead a healthier life, improve the future health of the population and save the health service millions of pounds simply because they will have the time to fit it into their busy schedule early in adulthood."
The full article by Professor James Timmons, John A Babraj, Neils Vollaard, Cameron Keast, Fergus Guppy and Greg Cottrell, “Extremely short duration high intensity training substantially improves insulin action in young healthy males” is published in the online journal BMC Endocrine Disorders. http://www.biomedcentral.com/imedia/8949530282217067_article.pdf?random=12875
For more information or to arrange interviews with Professor James Timmons please contact Sarah Anne Munro or Peter Aitchison at McGarvie Morrison Media.
Sarahanne@mmm.pr ; 0141 229 6705; 07747 692157
peter@mmm.pr; 0141 229 6705; 07766 111244
Author: Administrator, Date Published: Jan 28, 2009
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