Sleep Disorder News and Research

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A sleep disorder (somnipathy) is a medical disorder of the sleep patterns of a person or animal. Some sleep disorders are serious enough to interfere with normal physical, mental and emotional functioning. A test commonly ordered for some sleep disorders is the polysomnogram.

Treating obstructive sleep apnea in stroke patients improves recovery from stroke

A new study shows that patients in stroke rehabilitation treated for their co-existing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) recovered better from stroke than those whose OSA was not treated.

6 Apr 2011

Vanda to initiate tasimelteon Phase IIb/III clinical trial in Major Depressive Disorder

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. today announced its plans to initiate a Phase IIb/III clinical trial of tasimelteon in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The trial is expected to begin during the second half of 2011. Tasimelteon is currently being evaluated in Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of Non-24-Hour Sleep/Wake Disorder (N24HSWD) in blind individuals without light perception.

31 Mar 2011

Stress affects sleep, mood and body weight: Study

In a new study that appeared in the International Journal of Obesity, researchers have found that stress may affect sleep, mood and ultimately body weight. The study found that people with high stress and poor sleep were less likely to achieve a 10-lb. weight loss goal.

29 Mar 2011

Cleveland Medical Devices Inc. spins off Great Lakes NeuroTech

Cleveland Medical Devices Inc. (CMDI) has announced the formation of Great Lakes NeuroTech (www.GLNeuroTech.com), a spin-off company which has acquired the rights to develop, market, and manufacture clinical motor assessment and therapy systems for the movement disorders market as well as physiological monitors for research and education markets. Great Lakes NeuroTech (GLN) will perform R&D, engineering, manufacturing, distribution, and exporting of these technologies through two divisions: Movement Disorders and Research & Education Systems.

28 Mar 2011

Early symptoms of Parkinson's disease may be revealed in dream sleep

During a large-scale study of the socioeconomic costs of this neurodegenerative disease, Danish researchers, some from the University of Copenhagen, discovered that very early symptoms of Parkinson's disease may be revealed in dream or REM sleep.

28 Mar 2011

Plackers provides Grind-No-More dental night protectors for taxpayers

Tax season is stressful for many Americans, and even the IRS's extension of this year's filing deadline to April 18 may not provide much relief.

22 Mar 2011

‘Sleeping sickness’ pandemic offers insight into Parkinson’s

A bizarre disease that caused sufferers to fall into a deep ‘sleep’ while still being aware of their surroundings can offer us insight into the nature of Parkinson’s disease.

21 Mar 2011

Researchers to present latest findings about sleep disorders at Minneapolis Convention Center

Recent studies have linked sleep loss and sleep disorders to health problems such as depression, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and stroke. The latest findings in sleep research will be presented and discussed by more than 5,000 scientists and sleep specialists when the SLEEP 2011 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC convenes at the Minneapolis Convention Center from June 13 to 15.

17 Mar 2011

Patients with BPE may have Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers have shown that a significant number of patients with benign prostate enlargement may have Obstructive Sleep Apnea, which may be the reason for their night awakenings and urination.

16 Mar 2011

Amphetamine linked to development of Parkinson’s disease

New research suggests that taking prescription amphetamines may raise the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease later. But, the researchers noted that the study did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship and further investigation is warranted. The research was released Feb. 19, and is scheduled to be presented in April at the American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting in Honolulu.

21 Feb 2011

Harmful effects of energy drinks on children

A new study published in the journal Pediatrics on Monday examined the risks of consumption of high-caffeine energy drinks on children and young adults. The study notes that these drinks are linked to an array of serious events like heart palpitations, high blood pressure and even cardiac arrest and death. The risk rises if young adults consuming the drink suffer from chronic diseases or take other medications.

14 Feb 2011

Lack of sleep increases stroke & heart disease risk: Study

New research shows that lack of sleep apparently can increase the risk for stroke and heart attack. British researchers for this study, analyzed data collected from more than 470,000 people in eight countries, including the United States. The study was published Feb. 8 in the European Heart Journal.

13 Feb 2011

Swine flu shots linked to narcolepsy: Investigation continues

The vaccine used against swine flu has been linked to a disorder called narcolepsy among those aged four to 19. Narcolepsy involves people falling asleep without warning or sleeping excessively in the daytime. A preliminary study also “observed [an] increase in incidence of narcolepsy” among those given the vaccine.

2 Feb 2011

French guy says Parkinson’s drug induced gambling and gay sex addiction, tries to sue GSK for $610,000

GlaxoSmithKline is being sued this week by a French father-of-two, alleging the British pharmaceutical firm’s drug – Reqip (Ropirnirole) to treat Parkinson’s disease turned him into a gay sex and gambling addict. Parkinson’s disease is a seriously and progressively debilitating disease that leads to tremors, slowing of movements and ultimately total immobility.

1 Feb 2011

Study finds surgery greatly reduces daytime sleepiness in sleep apnea patients

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea who undergo surgery to improve their breathing get a better night's sleep and therefore are less drowsy during the day, according to a new study from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

27 Jan 2011

First U.S. implant of RespiCardia System for treatment of sleep apnea

Cardiac Concepts, announced today the first U.S. clinical implant of the RespiCardia System at The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.

21 Jan 2011

Bright light therapy for the aged depressed: Study

A new study shows that exposure to bright light may ease symptoms of depression in elderly people. The researchers tried three weeks of bright light therapy using specially designed light boxes and saw that it improved symptoms of depression by as much as 54% in older adults with depression. The light therapy also improved sleep and optimized levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression and often targeted by antidepressant drugs. This is the first study of its kind to show a beneficial effect of bright light therapy on treating depression in the elderly with non-seasonal major depressive disorder.

5 Jan 2011

Experimental device for obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea, a dangerous sleep disorder that affects millions of Americans may have found a cure. The disease commonly manifested as snoring but leading to tremendous sleep deprivation can be severely debilitating. Sleep deprivation may lead to car crashes, accidents, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and diabetes.

29 Dec 2010

Researchers examine socio-economic consequences of hypersomnia

Danish sleep researchers at the University of Copenhagen and the Danish Institute for Health Services Research have examined the socio-economic consequences of the sleep disorder hypersomnia in one of the largest studies of its kind.

20 Dec 2010

FDA approves Inspire to begin STAR clinical trial to evaluate UAS therapy for OSA

Inspire Medical Systems, a leading developer of neuro-stimulation therapies for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), announced today that the company has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin its STAR pivotal clinical trial. The STAR trial (Stimulation Therapy for Apnea Reduction), is a multi-center study that will evaluate both the safety and effectiveness of Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) therapy in patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

30 Nov 2010