Absent Sleep Peak of Growth Hormone Release in Blind Subjects: Correlation with Sleep EEG Stages

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Abstract
Absence of the peak of plasma growth hormone levels normally seen following the onset of sleep was observed in five blind subjects. These subjects also displayed a decreased amount of slow wave sleep (stages III and IV) and an increase in time spent in combined stages I, II and rapid eye movement sleep. Insulin hypoglycemia produced a normal rise in plasma growth hormone levels in three subjects so tested.