Anne Germain

S and full research articles published in SLEEP, the official journal of the APSS. Sleep and sleep disorder scientific findings.

S and full research articles published in SLEEP, the official journal of the APSS. Sleep and sleep disorder scientific findings.

This is the final report for this study. We have completed all pre-and post assessment in all participants randomized to prazosin, placebo, or the behavioral sleep intervention. Two participants are currently completing the 4-month follow-up period. Data analysis for the acute treatment phase is currently underway, and the final analyses (which include 4-month follow-up data) will be initiated shortly. Recruitment has been more difficult than anticipated, but our enrollment rate (10% of individuals who completed the initial screening) is consistent with other ongoing studies in this population. Over the course of the performance period to date, this award has produced a number of reportable outcomes, including several scientific, peer-review presentations and symposia, and provided preliminary data for three successful applications for federal funding by the PI, Dr. Germain.

Objective: The aim of this article is to review progress in understanding the mechanisms that underlie circadian and sleep rhythms, and their role in the pathogenesis and treatment of depression.Methods: Literature was selected principally by Medline searches, and additional reports were identified based on ongoing research activities in the authors' laboratory.Results: Many physiological processes show circadian rhythms of activity. Sleep and waking are the most obvious circadian rhythms in mammals. There is considerable evidence that circadian and sleep disturbances are important in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. Depressed patients often show altered circadian rhythms, sleep disturbances, and diurnal mood variation. Chronotherapies, including bright light exposure, sleep deprivation, and social rhythm therapies, may be useful adjuncts in non‐seasonal and seasonal depression. Antidepressant drugs have marked effects on circadian processes and sleep.Conclusions: Recent progress in understanding chronobiological and sleep regulation mechanisms may provide novel insights and avenues into the development of new pharmacological and behavioral treatment strategies for mood disorders. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Complicated grief (CG) is characterized by recurrent distressing emotions and intrusive thoughts related to the loss of a loved one and avoidance of reminders of the deceased. Poor sleep quality characterizes CG. Cognitive–behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy reduce CG symptom severity. The effect of these treatments on sleep quality is not known, however. We investigated whether complicated grief treatments (CGTs) improve sleep quality, as assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Data collected from 95 adults who participated in a randomized controlled trial were reviewed. Poor sleep quality persisted despite clinically significant improvements in CG severity posttreatment. Given that sleep disturbance is a risk factor for poor health outcomes, adjunctive sleep interventions may be necessary to enhance CGT outcomes.